Overview
- The opening round at Hoërskool Durbanville on Friday saw SA U18 beat France 52-7 and SA U18 A narrowly defeat Ireland 32-31 with a late penalty from replacement flyhalf Travis Pheiffer.
- The SA U18s scored eight tries against France, leading 21-7 at half and extending the margin in the second half to close 52-7.
- Lamla Mgedezi scored twice and Jacobus de Villiers and Anesu Kuzonyei also crossed, while flyhalf Ethan van Biljon handled most kicking duties for the hosts.
- SA U18 A led 17-7 at half before Ireland fought back with two tries from hooker Herbie Doyle and a late lead of 29-28, but Pheiffer’s late penalty reversed the result.
- The wins extend South Africa’s strong recent record in the annual U18 International Series and give selectors and scouts more evidence of depth as the tournament moves to Boland Landbou for matches including SA U18 A v Georgia next Tuesday.