Slick backs, physicality sees Junior Springboks edge out Argentina in U20 Rugby Championship
Gino Cupido Gino Cupido scored the final try for the Junior Springboks against Argentina. Photo: World Rugby
Image: World Rugby
It took the Junior Springboks a wake-up call in the second half to get going in their Under-20 Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Gqeberha on Thursday.
A try shortly after the break by the Pumitas opened a double-score advantage to them to place pressure on the South Africans in front of their fans.
But three additional tries by the home team, thanks to some enterprising play between the backline and forwards, secured a 36-25 victory at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
SA are atop the Championship standings with four points after New Zealand and Australia drew 29-29 in the first clash on Thursday.
While the visitors were first to score in the second half, it was the South Africans who comfortably dominated proceedings as their opposition tired as the match went along.
Despite not dominating at scrum-time, the South African Under-20s made up for it with their physicality, and it allowed the backline to get running.
Tries by scrumhalf Haashim Pead, his second of the match, after some entertaining play through the middle from captain Riley Norton and winger Gino Cupido out wide brought the hosts back into the game.
For all three scores, the Junior Boks did well to use their mobility to get the better of their opponents. Pead and centre Demitre Erasmus got on the scoreboard in the first half.
He did it for the Blitzboks and now he does it for the Junior Boks 🤌🇿🇦
Gino Cupido knows his way around a try line ⚡
📺 Stream #TRCU20 on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/cBkuTB65ZU — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) May 1, 2025
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
A crucial penalty win went against Argentina in the 78th minute when they were right in front of the SA tryline.
A score there would've set the sides up for an intense finish.
But against the run of play, the South Africans won a scrum penalty, and it allowed them to exit comfortably to see out the final minute-and-a-half of play, despite Argentina not backing down as they went looking for their fourth try.
The opening 10 minutes were a cagey affair between the two southern-hemisphere sides as they tried to feel each other out.
The Junior Boks opened the scoring via a penalty before the equaliser came after they could not exit from the kickoff.
A South African score afterwards gave them the lead again before the Argentines hit back with one of their own to tie things up once more.
The home side's inability to exit was one of the areas that gave the Pumitas easy territory.
They had a couple of nearly tries in the first half when some desperate defence by the Junior Boks secured a knock on over the tryline and another knock-on just as speedy Argentina winger Bautista Lescano stripped away to score was caught by the TMO.
It was the perfect clash for the Junior Springboks and coach Kevin Foote to see where they are and what needs fixing ahead of the final two clashes.
They struggled in the scrums and had some lapses in concentration on the attack.
But it was the first competitive game, and they performed well when put under pressure in the first half.
Points-Scorers
Junior Springboks 36 – Tries: Haashim Pead (2), Demitre Erasmus, Riley Norton, Gino Cupido. Conversions: Kyle Smith (3), Vusi Moyo (1). Penalty: Smith (1).
Argentina U20 25 – Tries: Pascal Senillosa, Bautista Lescano, Felipe Ledesma. Conversions: Rafael Benedit (2). Penalties: Benedit (2).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
SA chase another major cricket title: ‘It would be special,' says Bavuma
The South Africans surprised by selecting all-rounder Wiaan Mulder in the number three batting position. South Africa's Temba Bavuma speaks to the media at a press conference at Lord's cricket ground in London on Tuesday. Picture: Henry Nicholls / AFP South Africa's latest bid for a major cricketing title gets under way at Lord's in London on Wednesday when the Proteas take on their fiercest rivals, Australia, for the World Test Championship crown. While Australia have won several ODI and T20 titles, South Africa have yet to lift a trophy of any real significance. They have come close, especially in the last few years, but glory has continued to elude them. But now they have another chance, against Pat Cummins' powerful Aussies, in the World Test Championship final. Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said going all the way in the final would be 'special'. 'To be regarded as a top cricketing nation we must be playing for silverware … we've now ticked that, so going over the line is the next step. 'Winning the title would be a massive feather in the caps for this group [of players]. We often speak about excellence, about doing something special for each other and our country, well now we have an opportunity to do that. 'It would be special [to end the wait for a world title]. Just being here is a highlight of my career, but it would be nice if we backed it up with something … winning this would be special in a lot of ways.' Surprises in team selections Both teams sprung surprises when they named their playing XIs on Tuesday, with South Africa opting for Lungi Ngidi ahead of Dane Paterson in the bowling attack, while Australia have decided to go with Marnus Labuschagne at the top of the order, as they continue to look for a suitable replacement for the now retired David Warner. 'It was one of the tougher decisions that had to be made,' said Bavuma on Tuesday about having to pick between Ngidi and Paterson. 'Pato did so much for us at the end of last season, but from a tactical point of view, Lungi gives us a bit more pace and he's also got a good record, and that's taking nothing away from Pato. Lungi has played here [at Lord's] before, and he has the experience, not that Pato hasn't. 'But, we feel Lungi will complement the bowling attack a bit more. We also have [Wiaan] Mulder, who gives us something similar to what Pato can do.' Bavuma added the team had full confidence in all-rounder Mulder batting at number three in the order. 'He's taken confidence from being backed there in recent times and all we want is for him to go out and play his game.'
TimesLIVE
6 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Proteas hope risks bring rewards in WTC final, as both XIs revealed
There were no secrets from the two captains before this World Test Championship final. None of that 'we want to take one more look at the pitch in morning' nonsense before announcing the starting team. Pat Cummins revealed his starting side just as Temba Bavuma had done an hour earlier. Both teams had top order decisions to make along with the composition of their respective attacks; the Australians will open with Marnus Labuschagne, the South Africans will play Wiaan Mulder at no.3. The Proteas also chose Lungi Ngidi over Dane Paterson, which Bavuma described as 'one of the tougher decisions that have been made.' Cummins said virtually the same thing about picking Josh Hazlewood instead of Scott Boland. Ngidi is a risk, simply because he hasn't played much under Conrad. In one of those two Tests, he wrapped up the Indian tail on that minefield at Newlands. Last year's first match against the West Indies was the last time he started a Test. "That first 10 overs versus the Aussies is important." @VDP_24 shares his knowledge of playing against Australia to Shukri, Temba, and Ashwell ahead of the #WTC25 final 🇿🇦 🔗 Watch on CatchUp: — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 10, 2025 Paterson took two 'five-fers' last season, was the senior bowler in that 'C team' that toured New Zealand and generally when the front-line players were back, did the ugly work, especially in Gqeberha against Sri Lanka. At Lord's which has been his home ground the last few months with Middlesex, his form hasn't been as good — 11 wickets at 43.72 in five matches — but what swayed the selectors opinion was ultimately Ngidi's ability to get extra bounce from the surface. 'The selection was more from a tactical point of view, you know, (Lungi) probably has a little bit more pace, he's taller as well, ' said Bavuma. His presence means SA will match Australia in terms of height in their attack, so should a bouncer battle commence, as was the case when Cummins' team won at Lord's against England in 2023, SA will have the weaponry to stand toe to toe with the opposition. Ngidi, who has had his differences with Conrad in the last two years, certainly won't be lacking motivation this week. He has a point to prove to the coach, his captain and himself about his value to the Proteas and in this format. Wiaan Mulder reflects on the challenge of batting at No. 3 and the confidence he feels in taking on the responsibility in the #WTC Final 🏏🔥. #WTCFinal #WozaNawe #ProteasWTCFinal — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 10, 2025 Since making his first class debut for Northerns in 2016, he's played only 33 first class matches and in those — which include 19 Tests — he's bowled 20 overs or more in an innings, just four times and never in the same match. His stamina has long been a question mark as has his work ethic. But Conrad, when naming the WTC squad last month, praised Ngidi's fitness adding that he was impressed by how strong he looked. The Mulder decision is another that carries significant risk. Even more so than Australia deciding Labuschagne will open and Cameron Green will bat at 3, Mulder in the top order is a gamble. He's not batted there for his province, the Lions, and only did it in two innings' last season — once to manage a broken finger. 'Mulder is quite young obviously in that position. But having played with him provincially,and how he's kind of grown in the last two years within the red ball family, it's about giving him a lot more confidence, to keep backing him, and just allowing him to do what he does best,' said Bavuma. Thank you, Mr. President 🇿🇦🙏 We're honoured to carry the hopes of a proud sporting nation into the ICC World Test Championship Final. Inspired by the recent brilliance of our athletes and our nation's unwavering resilience, we'll give it our all at Lord's 🏏 Ons is gereed.… — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 10, 2025 Labuschagne, while a risk, has at least batted in the top order and as Cummins explained, there wasn't much difference in changing one position. Green, with an eye on returning to the Australian line-up after missing their home summer with a back injury, has batted at no.3 for Gloucestershire in the County Championship for the last few weeks and made three centuries and averages 66.71 in that spot. Besides those two innings at no.3 last season, Mulder has batted at no. 6 (once), 7 (15 times) and 8 (three times). An overall Test average of 22.65, doesn't provide confidence, but last season he made his first Test century — batting at 7 — so there is that. It feels like one of those 'gut feel' choices that Conrad has become famous for in the last two years. It worked with Ryan Rickelton at Newlands. The jury is still out on Tristan Stubbs at no.3, not least because he hasn't batted there since Durban last year, while choosing Senuran Muthusamy over Keshav Maharaj, in his first Test as coach against the West Indies at Centurion was Conrad, later admitted, a mistake. In the biggest game of their lives maybe some comfort can be drawn from Conrad remaining eccentric. 'A guy like Shukri coming in, it was kind of at the right time,' said Bavuma. 'When he came in, it was encouraging guys to be themselves and to play their best cricket.' Teams South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.
The Herald
6 hours ago
- The Herald
Norton to lead strong Junior Bok side in Italy
Western Province lock Riley Norton has been named captain of a powerful Junior Springbok side to play at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy from June 29 to July 19. The team show several changes to the squad which ended third in the U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha in May. Phiwayinkosi Kubheka (prop) and Ian van der Merwe (flyhalf) have not played for the SA U20s before, and Jaco Grobbelaar (lock), Stephanus Linde (No 8) and Jaco Williams (outside back) are back in the squad after missing the Gqeberha tournament. Kubheka played for the SA U18s in 2024 and Van der Merwe in 2023, while Linde toured with the Junior Boks in Georgia earlier in 2025 before he picked up an injury, which ruled him out of the Rugby Championship. Grobbelaar is one of the five players returning for a second World Rugby Championship stint, alongside utility forward Batho Hlekani, prop Herman Lubbe, loose forward Wandile Mlaba and scrumhalf Haashim Pead. Six players who are still U19 have been included in the squad, which bodes well for 2026. They are Kubheka, fellow prop Oliver Reid, Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker), Norton (lock), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf) and Cheswill Jooste (outside back). Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote's selection had been a difficult task, and he and the coaching staff were pleased with the final squad. 'The boys have all been superb in their attitude and application and most of the group have been together since November last year, when the SA U19 Academy Programme kicked off in Stellenbosch,' he said. 'I want to thank every player who has been part of the various training groups for their amazing effort. 'The schools and provincial unions also deserve a huge amount of credit for how they have prepared our players. 'We selected a good group of players who are determined to do the country proud with their performances on the field and their conduct off-field. 'It was an enormously difficult task to cut the squad to 30 players and we all feel for those guys who did not make the final selection.' Junior Springbok squad: Props: Jean Erasmus (Bulls), Phiwayinkosi 'Rambo' Kubheka (Sharks), Herman Lubbe (WP), Simphiwe Ngobese (Sharks), Oliver Reid (WP). Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Jaundré Schoeman (Bulls). Locks: Jaco Grobbelaar (Bulls), Riley Norton (WP), JJ Theron (Bulls), Morné Venter (Lions). Loose forwards: Thando Biyela (Lions), Bathobele Hlekani (Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (WP), Xola Nyali (WP), Matt Romao (Sharks), Stephanus Linde (Cheetahs). Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Sharks), Haashim Pead (Lions), Erich Visser (Cheetahs). Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Ian van der Merwe (Bulls). Centres: Albie Bester (Sharks), Gino Cupido (WP), Demitre Erasmus (Bulls), Dominic Malgas (WP). Outside backs: Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), Gilermo Mentoe (Lions), Siya Ndlozi (WP), Jaco Williams (Sharks). SA's Pool A fixtures: Sunday, June 29: vs Australia U20 — Stadio San Michele (Calvisano). Friday, July 4: vs England U20 — Stadio Mario Battaglini (Rovigo). Wednesday, July 9: vs Scotland U20 — June Stadio San Michele (Calvisano). The Herald
