Junior Springboks battle past gritty Georgia

Jean Smith scored 18 points to lead the Junior Springboks to a hard-fought 33-23 win over a spirited Georgia side their World Rugby U20 Championship opener at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Saturday.

The South African U20s were made to work for their opportunities in their opening Pool C fixture. While their scrum and maul fired, they were met at the collisions and breakdowns by a fiercely combative Georgian outfit – spearheaded by skipper Lasha Tsikhistavi.

WATCH: Loadshedding almost derails Junior Springboks match

WORLD RUGBY U20 CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH RECAP:

Nevertheless, the hosts capitalised on several early chances to take control on the scoreboard. Centre Katlego Letebele chipped and regathered to cross for the game’s first try in the seventh minute. Later in the half, fullback Hakeen Kunene set up winger Jurenzo Julius for a spectacular finish in the right hand-corner.

Smith slotted both conversions and added two penalty goals to steer the hosts into a 20-7 lead at half-time. The Junior Springboks may well have pushed for a couple more tries in the first stanza, but captain Paul de Villiers instructed his flyhalf to shoot for goal and build scoreboard pressure.

ALSO READ: Players to watch at World Rugby U20 Championship

Georgia’s scrum hit back after the break, winning several penalties for the visitors. After a sustained period on attack, winger Luka Tsirekidze jetted in for a well-deserved try in the 59th minute.

The Junior Springboks sustained yet another setback after flanker Ghudian van Reenen was shown a yellow card in the 63rd minute. Petre Khutsishvili slotted the ensuing penalty goal to reduce the deficit to two points.

But Smith stepped up to nail a long-range attempt, restoring South Africa’s advantage. The flyhalf goaled a subsequent shot from close to the touchline to take the hosts eight points clear of their opponents.

ALSO READ: World Rugby U20 Championship results (round 1)

Centre Ethan Hooker crashed over for his team’s third try in the 72nd minute to clinch the result. Georgia also crossed the line for the third time – but failed to secure any consolatory bonus points.

The Junior Springboks’ next assignment is against Italy U20 at Paarl Gymnasium on Thursday 29 June. The Argentina U20 side beat the Azzurri 43-15 in Paarl on Saturday. South Africa will face Los Pumitas in their final pool fixture at Athlone Stadium on 4 July.

ALSO READ: Athlone Stadium to host U20 Championship playoffs

MATCH SCORERS: JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS VS GEORGIA

Junior Springboks — Tries: Katlego Letebele, Jurenzo Julius, Ethan Hooker. Conversions: Jean Smith (3). Penalty goals: Smith (4).

Georgia U20 — Tries: Lasha Tsikhistavi, Luka Tsirekidze, Nika Babunashvili. Conversion: Petre Khutsishvili. Penalty goal: Khutsishvili (2).