By Will Gupwell
South Africa……………………………….. (7)
Tries: Porthen 6, Finca 51
Conversions: Koen 6,
Yellow Cards: Fuller 82
England……………………………………… (7)
Tries: Carnduff 26, Bailey 44, Isaacs 86
Conversions: Kerr 27
Referee: Federico Vedovelli
Star man: Finn Carnduff
With incredibly difficult weather conditions, England stunned South Africa with a James Isaacs try at the very death to top their group, secure a semi-final and knock out the hosts at the u20s World Championship.
Mark Mapleoft’s side scored a late try in the 86th minute of the game to ensure victory after they battled in tough conditions. It was an all-court performance from the English, but it was their forwards who shone brightest, bringing a physical battle to the Baby Boks.
England Captain Finn Carnduff got his side’s opening try and said at full time: “- I want to say massive credit to South Africa for 80 minutes. They really tested us, but to come away with a win at the end like that, we stuck to what we’re good at and got over the line. I’m super proud of the boys.”
“Nothing changes heading into the semi-final. Our mindset has been the same every game this tournament. Every time we go out on the field, we put 100% in and go out to get the win, and that’s a great showing from us today.”
The hosts started the clash positively. The early pressure from the Baby Boks was relentless, as they dominated possession inside the English 22. Captain Zachary Porthen scored the first try of the match from close range.
The English discipline that was a thorn in Finn Carnduff’s side last week against Fiji was once again an issue, with the referee issuing an early warning in the opening ten minutes. With the tough conditions, it was clear that discipline would play a key role in determining the victors.
The once pristine white England shirts from the anthems were quickly covered from the mud bath, highlighting the immense work rate the players were going through with South Africa dominating possession in the early skirmishes.
A great kick downfield from Sean Kerr put the South African lineout under pressure. It was overthrown, giving England the opportunity, which skipper Finn Carnduff finished off to level the score.
Following the score, the game flipped on its head with pure English dominance for the second part of the half. Despite the lengthy possession and field position inside the Bok half, it remained level at one try a piece heading into the break.
It was a positive start to the second period for the English, who earned another penalty at the scrum following a Springbok knock-on at the restart. They launched an attack from the lineout and looked dangerous with the ball in hand.
They opened the scoring for the second half with Joe Bailey being awarded the try following a dominant driving maul shoving the Bok pack back over their own line.
The South Africans returned back downfield, and while South Africa may not be participating in the Euros this summer, Likhona Finca showed some clever footballing skills by kick-kicking the ball ahead for himself, taking it around Redshaw to finish off the try.
The physicality on display was intense, with both sides running hard and fast at one another, providing some ginormous hits for the spectators.
The difficult conditions had a strong effect on play, so both sides rolled out their benches, hoping to inject some pace back into the still-level game.
Lucas Friday came on at scrum-half and made his presence immediately felt, executing a brilliant 50-22 box kick to provide his side with a positive opportunity. However, they failed to execute, and the game entered the final ten with all still to play for both sides.
The English continued their scrum dominance right into the final minutes and played much more conservatively, knowing that with the score level would be enough to prevent South Africa from exiting the group but enough for England to still top.
The game almost dragged to a halt in the final minutes with conditions meaning it turned into almost continuous scrums. As the clock hit eighty, England were awarded an advantage at the scrum and launched into an attack. A knock-on brought the advantage back, and Coen kicked to the corner.
The maul went to ground early, sacked by the Boks but another advantage meant replacement scrum-half Divan Fuller was sent to the bin.
England opted for the scrum and were awarded yet another penalty, and this time, went to the corner. The entire side joined the maul and eventually got the try, courtesy of James Isaacs and England secured the win knocking out the hosts.
South African captain Zacahry Porthen said after the game: “It’s heartbreaking, we’ve worked very hard the past couple of weeks for this game and just didn’t get the result we wanted.”
England Match Stats:
Penalties Conceded- 8
Lineouts Won- 17
Lineouts Lost- 5
Scrums Won- 8
Scrums Lost-4
South Africa: Damon, Finca, Julius, Boulle, L. Bester, Koen, Moos; Badenhorst, Bakkes, Porthen, Dyer, Van Heerden, Mahashe, Hlekani, Mphafi.
Replacements: E Bester, Ntshanga, Lubbe, Grabbelaar, Jacobs, Fuller, Sefoor, Van Niekerk
England: Redshaw, Bracken, Waghorn, Kerr, Wills, Coen, Allen; Opoku-Fordjour, Wright, Sela, Bailey, Kpoku, Carnduff, Pollock, Michelow.
Replacements: Isaacs, Halliwell, Fasogbon, Sodeke, James, Friday, Hall, Jones
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