New Zealand has retained the Under 20 Rugby Championship after an exhilarating 48-45 victory over the Junior Springboks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha.
New Zealand rallied from 19-0 behind and survived the dying stages with only 13 players in an epic triumph.
New Zealand captain Manumaua Letiu: “I’m in awe, really, at how physical South Africa was. Stay in the fight, next job mantra was the message. Great to finish it off.”
South Africa blasted out of the blocks, acquiring their 19-0 lead after a dozen minutes. The tackle count against New Zealand was 37-7 in this period.
South Africa mauled assertively from New Zealand’s first blemish inside the 22. Eleven phases followed before Albie Bester made an angled surge to the line. The robust second-five resembled Damian de Allende throughout.
Initially, South Africa was hitting the cleanouts like missiles. The speed and directness of the attack were unstoppable. There were ten phases in the construction of a Simphiwe Ngobese try while Siphosethu Mnebelele trucked over from a lineout drive.
There was finally a reprieve when South Africa conceded multiple penalties. After a lineout drive made little headway, halfback Charlie Sinton spotted space on the short side and fired a bullet pass to winger Harlyn Saunoa, who finished with little real estate left.
A Bester knock on was an unexpected source of charity. Breakdown infractions further helped New Zealand’s cause. When Sinton delivered to Maloni Kunawave, South Africa, was stretched, and Saunou had a second.
South African halfback Haashim Pead was energetic. His quick tap had New Zealand backpedaling. The hosts weren’t often expansive, but a Gilermo Mentoe, Gino Cupido interaction resulted in a classy finish.
Down 26-12, New Zealand needed a spark, and centre Cooper Roberts provided it with a break from halfway to the 22. South Africa infringed and from the lineout, Letiu carried three defenders with him over the paint. New Zealand’s lineout was faultless, a stark contrast to the opening game against Australia.
The tide swung firmly in New Zealand’s direction shortly before halftime. An intercept by Kunawave thwarted an ominous South African surge. Transitioning from defense to attack, Roberts made good ground. Three swift passes to the left followed and Saunoa celebrated a hat-trick. Will Cole converted from the sideline, and New Zealand was only down by two at halftime.
Rico Simpson's vision would nudge New Zealand ahead. His grubber kick was run down by Kunawave.
In the 45th minute, Cole made a searing 45-metre break. New Zealand’s forwards quickly aligned into their pod pattern inside the 22, and loosehead Sika Pole, who started every game in the competition, was rewarded for his graft.
New Zealand’s exit from the restart was careless. A wayward pass was intercepted, and South African No.8 Wandile Mlaba scored under the sticks to make it 38-33.
There were 13 tries in the high-octane affair, none better than New Zealand’s seventh strike in the 52nd minute. Replacement prop Dane “The Rock” Johnston busted after sleight of hand from Pole. New Zealand continued to take the ball to the line with superb shape and delightful handling by backs and forwards. Stanley Solomon was on the end of a chain as enjoyable as the Fleetwood Mac banger.
South Africa was back in tune in the 56th minute, a Siya Kolisi-inspired Mlaba was running in his second try with gusto to make it 43-38.
Misfortune beset South Africa in the 62nd minute. A jolting tackle that halted New Zealand's momentum resulted in a knock-on, centre field, 15 metres out. From the scrum, fluid distribution set Kunawave free.
In the 69th minute, New Zealand openside Caleb Woodley was red-carded for head-on-head contact.
A potential Kyle Smith try was disallowed for obstruction. An offside penalty advantage was applied. South Africa relished a lineout maul. New Zealand reduced to 13 with Randall Baker conceding a penalty try.
With two minutes left, South Africa ventured inside New Zealand’s 22. A fumble allowed New Zealand to secure possession. Eliminating risk, New Zealand played a slow ‘keep ball.’ Eli Oudenryn, handled five times and was punished like a piñata. Even Jay Tamati’s last clearance wasn’t routine. The replacement halfback scuffed the ball towards New Zealand’s in-goal area. Thankfully, it dribbled out.
Australia beat Argentina 40-36 in the earlier match to record two victories, like New Zealand. However, the Junior Wallabies missed out on the title because they secured fewer bonus points.
The World Rugby Under 20 Championship is next month in Italy. New Zealand plays the hosts in their first game on June 25.
New Zealand Under 20: 48 (Harlyn Saunoa 3, Manumaua Letiu, Maloni Kunawave 2, Sika Pole, Stanley Solomon tries; Will Coles 4 con) South Africa Under 20: 45 (Albie Bester, Simphiwe Ngobese, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Gino Cupido, Wandile Mlaba 2, Penalty Try tries; Vusi Moyo 4 con) HT: 24-26
