Baby Boks finish third at IRB Junior World Champs 2013

MIN

SCORE

DETAILS

3

0-0

SA start with some good defending.

7

0-7

NZ left wing Lolagi Visinia scores the opening try via a well executed set move off a redzone scrum. Possession was given to NZ after a poorly controlled SA lineout. NZ flyhalf Simon Hickey converts.

13

0-14

NZ’s Lolagi Visinia who had a fine game intercepts a Handre Pollard cut out pass to the right, when SA looking good on attack after stringing together some phases. Visinia’s second try is converted by Hickey.

17

SA lineouts continue to be poor and a few scrums are not very good either. Hooker Michael Willemse did not have a good day in this set-piece and was substituted midway through the first half.

21

0-21

NZ no.8 Joe Edwards is awarded a try. NZ makes the try look too easy after a bit of pick and drive play. They use good good body positions and SA struggles to contain the forward momentum. Hickey converts

23

Luther Obi shows excellent commitment. First he beats the flying NZ flank Ardie Savea to get to back and dive on a kicked ahead ball. He then puts his body on the line to stop a New Zealander from kicking the loose ball further ahead.

25

SA fullback Cheslin Kolbe collects a clearance kick and beats a couple of defenders in a run back. Centre

29

Pollard misses a penalty

31

7-21

SA right wing Luther Obi gets over for SA’s opening score. The build-up by SA is good. It involves top notch clean-outs, presentation and decisive running. Irne Herbst is prominent in carrying over the advantage in the phase before Obi picks his gap and pins his ears back.  Pollard converts

33

A good scrum by SA is the platform for Pollard to run left and fire an accurate pass out to left wing Senatla. Senatla turns the last line defender inside out but at the crucial moment when the opportunity to there to exploit the space on the outside, Senatla cuts inside, undoing all his good initial footwork when he is tackled straight away. A likely try goes a begging.

34

14-21

Big tighthead Luan de Bruin collects a pop and uses his beef to power over from close range. Again its good body position in the contact that impresses especially the way he leans with the shoulder. Pollard converts.

37

21-21

Senatla reads a poor pass by NZ well. He intercepts and no one can catch him. Pollard converts

39

21-26

NZ centre Michael Collins breaks down the middle and pacy fullback Joe Webber is on hand to round off.

Halftime

21-26

SA centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg breaks through but loses the ball in contact. The turnover sparks a NZ counter attack from deep. NZ’s standout flank Ardie Savea has a good run downfield. NZ look threatening but SA fullback Kolbe saves the day with thumping tackle.

44

SA centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg breaks through but loses the ball in contact. The turnover sparks a NZ counter attack from deep. NZ’s standout flank Ardie Savea has a good run downfield. NZ look threatening but SA fullback Kolbe saves the day with thumping tackle.

45

21-29

SA’s star blindside flank Jacques du Plessis makes a rare mistake by breaking too early from a scrum when NZ are on attack. Hickey lands the penalty.

Lack of commitment in the tackles at this stage are putting SA on the backfoot. In this play NZ left wing makes a good carry. Kolbe is again called into action on defence and does not disappoint with his first class tackling.

50

A superb linebreak from Rohan Jv Rensburg after SA runs the ball out from in their 22m. The inside centre beats 3 tackles. He passes to Senatla who turns on the afterburners and looks like he’s beaten the cover. Amazingly fullback Warner gets near enough to pull off a try saving ankle tap.

52

SA stays on attack and as they drive towards the line, a NZ player is yellow carded for intentionally holding on to slow down play.

52

26-29

A quick tap and go from the penalty follows. The ball gets channelled wide and its captain Stoney Steenkamp having a good game, who shows strength to power over.

54

SA collects the next kickoff and immediately sets up a useful rolling maul. Soon afterwards the NZ hooker Nick Rogan is penalised for speartackling Jacques du Plessis.

56

33-29

Kwagga Smith replaced started Aidon Davis and once again played an attention grabbing role as openside flank. SA carries the ball up. Their continuity is good and they are now dominating the one on one physical exchanges. The retention and energy scatters the NZ defence, providing Kwagga with a chance to pick up a tackled ball and run a direct line. In the contact he displays good technique to reach over for the try. Pollard converts. SA are ahead for the first time.

60

36-29

Kolbe sets off on a profitable run and links up with Senatla. The play results in a penalty to the Baby Boks which Pollard converts.

61

From the kickoff NZ replacement replacement hooker Pongi takes out Dennis Visser in the air. The Baby Black receives 10 minutes in the bin, which brings on uncontested scrums.

62

Kwagga makes a textbook steal at a ruck. His second turnover won. NZ disciple continues to be uncharacteristically poor during this passage. In addition to 2 yellows they get penalised for backchat.

64

Some wonderful play by both teams. First the outstanding Savea chases a kick (and hurts his ankle in the process). His attempts to regain possession are thwarted by the equally brilliant Cheslin Kolbe. Kolbe collects the ball on the bounce, evades Savea, attacks left and kicks ahead with his left foot. All classy stuff by the SA fullback.

70

41-29

SA are alert and use an uncontested scrum on the NZ 5m line to launch an attack to the right on the short side. Scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer who himself has had a much improved performance and enjoyed the quality ball presented at the base of the rucks, backs himself and crashes over for the try.

74

41-34

NZ don’t throw in the towel. They fight back and score a try by flank Jordan Manihera . It’s the end result of continuity but also some good footwork by fullback Webber to beat some defenders. Hickey converts the try.

Fulltime

41-34

SA wins an entertaining game of rugby, coming from 21-0 down.