Baby Boks dent England U20s JWC hopes

South Africa dented England‘s IRB Junior World Championship ambitions with a 31–24 victory at the Stade Henri Desgrange.
The Baby Boks backed up their 97-0 win over the USA in their opening game scoring three tries to be in control of the pool and almost secure their qualification for the semi-finals ahead of their clash with France on Thursday.
Despite the defeat, England secured the losing-bonus point which may be enough to see them progress to the knock out stages as the best second place side.
They must now beat the Americans this coming Thursday and hope results in the other pools go their way.
The Baby Boks started brightly with a stunning score as winger Seabelo Senatla, who scored four tries against the USA in midweek, made the most of space out wide.
England struggled with their discipline at the breakdown and fly half Robert du Preez took advantage of this extending the reigning champions lead to 13–0 with two from the tee.
Further English ill-discipline saw the young Sharks playmaker take the gap to 16 points within 16 minutes.
At last England gained some traction as first Jack Nowell and then Alex Day threatened to break the Boks defence.
Such momentum was short lived however as a Matt Hankin pass was intercepted by Senatla to grab his second touchdown and take the score to 21–0.
Shortly afterwards the powerful Exeter Chiefs centre Sam Hill began the counter attack, choosing an excellent running line before offloading to the supporting Harry Sloan to score. Henry Slade converted to bring the deficit down to 21–7 at half time.
Further hope came within moments of the start of the second half when captain Jack Clifford burst through the South African defence to see Gloucester lock Elliot Stooke dot down in the corner and make it 21–14.
Yet the Baby Boks hit back with a score of their own as Jacques du Plesses drove over the line to restore their 14-point advantage.
Flyer Senatla was then denied a hat-trick as referee Mike Fraser brought play back for a high tackle and instead England’s Slade slotted over the penalty to reduce the gap to 28–17.
A fourth Du Preez penalty was countered with an excellent score on 57 minutes by replacement Leicester Tigers back Henry Purdy and England were back within striking distance at 31–24.
The final quarter was played largely in South African territory but tempers flared and Irné Herbst and replacement Tom Price were sent to the sin bin for exchanging blows.
England continued to build pressure on the Boks line but handling errors cost them and the reigning champions held out for the win, leaving Nick Walshe’s men rueing their slow start.
For England
Tries: Sloan, Stooke, Purdy
Conversions: Slade 3
Penalty: Slade
Sin bin: Price
For South Africa
Tries: Senatla 2, Du Plesses
Conversions: Du Preez 2
Penalties: Du Preez 4
Sin Bin: Herbst
England:  Anthony Watson; Ben Howard, Harry Sloan, Sam Hill, Jack Nowell; Henry Slade, Alex Day; Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Luke Cowan Dickie, Scott Wilson; Elliott Stooke, Dominic Barrow; Ross Moriarty, Matt Hankin, Jack Clifford (Capt.).
Replacements:  Scott Spurling, Alec Hepburn, Tom Smallbone, Tom Price, Joel Conlon, Callum Braley, Ollie Devoto, Henry Purdy.
South Africa:  Cheslin Kolbe; Luther Obi,  Justin Geduld, Handré Pollard, Seabelo Senatla; Robert du Preez, Stefan Ungerer; Andrew Beerwinkel, Jacques du Toit, Luan de Bruin; Irné Herbst, Dennis Visser; Roelof Smit, Jacques du Plesses, Ruan Steenkamp (Capt.).
Replacements: Michael Willemse, Sti Sithole, Jannes Kirsten, Aidon Davis, Hanco Venter, Dries Swanepoel, Jesse Kriel, Marné Coetzee.
SAM KNIBBS