The Springbok under-20 team were knocked out of the IRB Junior World Championship in Tokyo Japan by going down 40 - 21 to England on Wednesday.

England will take on the reigning champions New Zealand in Sunday’s final after the Kiwis outclassed Australia 31-7. The Baby Boks will play Australia in Sunday’s third-place playoff fixture in Tokyo at 15h00* (RSA time — 08h00).

“The guys are really disappointed with the result, but I believe we were defeated by the better team on the day,” said SA under-20 coach Eric Sauls after the match.

“We lost too many line-outs, made some silly mistakes and lost momentum during important stages in the match. Also losing a player like Rynhardt Elstadt, who was red-carded, was a huge blow to us. It was always going to be difficult defending and attacking against a side like England with one man down for 15 minutes.

“The most important thing for the players now, is to forget about the disappointment against England. We play Australia on Sunday and our aim will be end the tournament on a high.”

The Baby Boks conceded four second-half tries to England after leading 11-9 at the break. SA under-20 fullback Francois Brummer converted two penalties kicks with Christiaan Stander scoring the first try of the match. All England’s points in the first half was scored via the boot of fullback Tom Homer, who converted three penalty kicks, in the opening 11 minutes of the match.

South Africa’s lead only lasted two minutes though as England regained the lead after scrumhalf Ben Young ran in to score an excellent individual try after he broke from a line-out 30 metres from the SA try-line. Homer converted the try to hand England a 16-11 lead.

The Baby Boks hit back ten minutes later after centre Nicolaas Hanekom scored South Africa’s second try of the match which was converted by Brummer (18-16). South Africa then gained a five-point (21-16) lead after Brummer converted his third penalty kick of the match after England were penalised for a ruck infringement.

However that was the last points scored by the Baby Boks. England regained the lead (23-21) after James Haskell scored their second try in the 20th minute of the second half which was converted by Homer.

The Baby Boks were then reduced to 14 players after New Zealand referee Chris Pollock red-carded Rynhardt Elstadt four minutes later after the SA under-20 flanker was penalised for a dangerous tackle. Homer added the three points to stretch England’s lead to 26-21.

With the South African’s one-man down, England piled on the pressure and ran in two tries in the final ten minutes of the match thanks to Courtney Lawes and Henry Trinder which were both converted by Homer (20-21).

*Local time in Japan.

Scores:

South Africa – Tries: Christiaan Stander, Nicolaas Hanekom; Conversion: Francois Brummer; Penalties: Brummer (3).
England – Tries: Ben Young, James Haskell, Courtney Lawes, Henry Trinder; Conversions: Tom Homer (4); Penalties: Homer (4).

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

Tags: baby boks, England, IRB Junior World Championship, springbok under-20