Battling Wales run out
7TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
CUP
Wales………………. 31pts South Africa ….. 47pts
Tries: Price 36, 74, Boshoff 50, Emanuel 63, Conquer 80
Conversions: Wilde 64, 80
Tries: Porthen 9, 69, Mahashe 21, 47, van Heerden 21, 32, Hlekani 57, Moos 65 Conversions: Sefoor 12, 33, 48, 58, Koen 66, 70
WALES were overpowered in their final outing as tournament hosts South Africa won the battle for seventh place.
The Welsh youngsters have battled hard in the tournament but were comprehensively outplayed by the seven-try Junior Springboks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Wales end the tournament with just one win – a hard-earned success against spirited Spain – and will be disappointed that they failed to push their hosts like they did New Zealand and Australia earlier in the tournament.
Dragons winger Walker Price, who had been flown out after injuries to clubmates Huw Anderson and Harry Rees-Weldon, scored a brace and number eight Owen Conquer, who has earned a pro deal with the Rodney Parade club after starring for Ebbw Vale, went over at the death.
However, the South Africans were in command throughout and had too much power for Richard Whiffin's side at the end of a draining campaign.
South Africa began the game with confidence, showing some physicality to force Welsh errors, and eventually got the first try of the match after captain and prop Zach Porthen powered his way over.
The host's dominance continued, and despite some defensive interventions from Wales, South Africa were soon launching another attack inside the 22, as number eight Sibabalwe Mahashe gave his side try number two.
With the Junior Springboks again enjoying possession inside the Welsh half, it wasn't long before they crossed again. A neat lineout move followed by a monster carry from JF van Heerden meant South Africa had their third try.
At 19-0 down, Wales needed a response, and it came with a set of solid scrums, giving them some rare possession inside the Junior Springboks 22. After another strong set-piece, fly-half Harri Ford looked to play wide, linking up with winger Walker Price, who got them on the board with a strong finish in the corner.
South Africa were looking to end a disappointing tournament on a high, and after going into the half-time break 19-5 up, they pressed the accelerator again in the early stage of the second half.
A brilliant break from Mahashe saw him stride away from 30 metres for his second try of the match to extend the Junior Springboks' lead.
Wales continued to fight and when South Africa spilt the following kick-off, they launched a brilliant attack from the scrum. Quick hands from half-back duo Lucca Setaro and Harri Ford freed up space for Aidan Boschoff, who
beat two defenders to keep Wales in the match.
However, South Africa hit back with a glorious try, neat kick-in behind the rushing defence from centre Jurenzo Julius, touched down by flanker Bathobele Hilekani.
Despite a Welsh intercept try from Steffan Emanuel, the day belonged to South Africa as more forward pressure soon meant the hosts were back inside the Welsh 22, scoring once more as Asad Moos's quick tap caught the opposition unaware as the scrum-half crossed for try number six. They did not have to wait long for their seventh as their power game proved too strong.
Captain Porthen scored from close range to secure his brace.
Late tries from Price and Conquer meant Wales did close the gap, but South Africa will be frustrated they didn't challenge for the final given their squad
