The South African Under-20 team began their assault on the IRB World Junior Championship title by posting a century of points in a 108-18 victory over the USA Under-20s in Wales on Friday.

Hooker and man of the match Pieter van Vuuren scored a hat-trick of tries in a 16 try to two victory at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham.

“It was a good start but there was a time I was a little worried,” coach Eric Sauls told www.sarugby.co.za. I had to [pull them back at halftime and get them back to the plan and the patterns we wanted to play and I was pleased with way we played in the second half.”

Captain and eighthman Gerrit-Jan van Velze scored two tries as did centre Stefan Watermeyer and replacement flyhalf François Brummer. Sias Ebersohn kicked ten conversions and scored a try for a personal haul of 25 points while Brummer also kicked four conversions to add to his tries for 18 points.

“We scrummed well from the start and put them under a lot of pressure and I was very pleased with the support play and the offloading,” said Sauls. In the second half I put on the players I expect to be starting against Scotland in the next game and they fitted in well.”

SCORERS:

South Africa U20s – Tries: Pieter van Vuuren (3), Gerrit-Jan van Velze (2), Stefan Watermeyer (2), Francois Brummer (2), Thiliphaut Marole, Sias Ebersohn, Robert Ebersohn, Lionel Mapoe, Sabelo Nhlapo, Vainon Willis. Conversions: Sias Ebersohn (10), Brummer (4).
USA U20s – Tries: Thretton Palamo, Stevie Johnston. Conversion: Sean Treacy. Penalties: Treacy (2).

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