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SA RUGBY UNDER-20s CLAIM THIRD PLACE |
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South Africa claimed third place in the IRB World Junior Championship with a thrilling 43-18 (halftime 26-6) victory over hosts Wales in Swansea on Sunday.
The Junior Boks scored seven tries to two and survived the yellow-carding of two players to produce some sparkling rugby to end the tournament on a high note.
Wing Lionel Mapoe scored two tries and there was one apiece for twins Robert and Sias Ebersohn as well as for man of the match Nick Koster, Francois Brummer and Frederick Kirsten as Wales were repeatedly cut open by slick handling, great support play and raw pace.
South Africa scored four tries in the first half to take control of the game although two tries in the space of four minutes at the start of the second half by Wales - the second while fullback Wilton Pietersen was in in the sin bin for a late tackle - threatened the Junior Boks' lead.
However three tries in the final quarter saw South Africa home to a victory that would have been more comprehensive but for five missed kicks at poles.
The second player to be yellow carded was lock Cornell Hess who was dismissed eight minutes from time for collapsing a maul.
Scorers:
Wales - Tries: Leigh Halfpenny, Sam Hobbs. Conversion: Halfpenny. Penalties: Halfpenny (2).
South Africa - Tries: Lionel Mapoe (2), Francois Brummer, Nick Koster, Robert Ebersohn, Frederick Kirsten, Sias Ebersohn. Conversions; Brummer (4). |
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