Junior Boks soar in U20 Champs opener

06/29/2024 02:56 PM

Jurenzo Julius scored two tries as the Junior Springboks demolished Fiji in a bonus-point victory in their opening fixture of the U20 World Championship in Cape Town on Saturday.

A first-half brace from centre Julius set the Junior Springboks up for a 57-7 victory over a hard-hitting Fiji side at Cape Town stadium.

Leading 31-0 at half time, the tournament hosts were scrappier in the second half as the changes were rung and new combinations tested, but there were good enough signs from the first half for South Africa to be pleased with their start to the tournament.

This is especially as the Junior Boks dominated the physical exchanges and tore Fiji apart at the scrum and maul. Lock Batho Hlekani stood out in the loose with some massive carries, while Liam Koen missed just one of his kicks at goal and his long-range boot set up one of the four first-half tries.

Fullback Michail Damon and wing Joel Leotela also dotted down in the first half, before Julius saw yellow a minute before the break for a tip-tackle.

Outside back + Scrum Cap = Try time

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Despite starting the second half down a man, the Junior Boks quickly extended their lead through hooker Luka Bakkes, but the game turned scrappy from there and Fiji capitalised with a try of their own.

South Africa did finish the match strongly as flank Siba Mahashe capped a fine performance by grabbing a try and setting up centre Likhona Finca for a score on debut off the bench to bring up the half-century of points.

The Junior Boks will next face Argentina, who suffered a heavy defeat to England, at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Thursday.

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

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