South Africa kicked off the U18 International Series with an impressive victory against England in Paarl on Friday.
The SA U18s made the most of a dominant performance from the forwards by scoring two tries to one in the first half, while they also landed three penalties to build up a 23-10 advantage at the half-time break.
The hosts maintained their dominance in the second half and scored two more tries and a penalty, while restricting England to two converted tries for a well-deserved 40-24 win at Paarl Gymnasium.
SA flyhalf Stehan Heymans notched 18 points from the kicking tee, while hooker Ethan Bester and scrumhalf Caleb Abrahams, along with replacements Luca Bakkes and Jack Waterhouse, crossed the whitewash.
Flanker Jack Bennet dotted down first for England before substitute hooker Loic Keasey bagged a brace, while pivot Rory Taylor was on song with three conversions and a penalty.
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In the first game of the day, the SA U18A team were edged 26-23 by France.
The South Africans started brightly and forced the French back into their own half for much of the opening 20 minutes.
However, they suffered a setback when lively scrumhalf Emrique Liedeman was forced to leave the field with a knee injury, and he was replaced by his WP teammate Asad Moos.
The French forwards dominated the latter part of the first half, laying a fine platform which yielded two tries.
The French forwards grew in confidence after the break, however, SA U18 ‘A’ would be disappointed with the number of missed tackles.
France No 9 Thibualt Motassi Dibongue was sent clear to run in for the first of two converted tries, before hard-working hooker Juan Smal scored the first of SA’s two second-half tries shortly after the visitors stretched their lead to 19-16.
Replacement France back Xan Mousques then made it 26-16 when he burst through a couple of missed tackles, before Divan Fuller scored SA’s second touchdown.
SA U18A 23 (9) – Tries: Juan Smal, Divan Fuller. Conversions: Liam Koen (2). Penalty goals: Koen (3).
France U18 26 (12) – Tries: Jon Echegaray, Babtiste Narmand, Thibualt Motassi Dibongue, Xan Mousques. Conversions: Yani Brillant (2), Oliver Cowie.
Photo: SA Rugby
