Rugby
Junior Boks start World Champion title defence in style─── ILSE SMALBERGER 08:05 Sun, 28 Jun 2026
The victory at Avchala Stadium was the SA U20s’ seventh consecutive win at the tournament, which saw them equal their best-ever winning run in the tournament – a seven-game streak across the 2012 and 2013 editions.
Kevin Foote’s team scored 16 tries in an emphatic 104-7 victory over Uruguay in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Saturday evening (27/6) after leading 50-0 at half-time. The South Africans opened the scoring when Markus Muller went over from a quick-tap penalty.
Alzeadon Felix converted, and the Junior Boks were 7-0 after a few minutes. Jordan Steenkamp scored the second try and went on to score two more during the game. It was 21-0 after 17 minutes when Uruguay illegally brought down a driving maul, and the referee had no option but to award a penalty try.
Ethan Adams
Five minutes later, Risima Khosa was driven over from another attacking lineout to make it 26-0. He would also score twice more, both in the second half and only four minutes apart. Grey College alum, Ethan Adams also crossed the whitewash in the first half, taking the South Africans to 31-0.
The winger Khuthadzo Rasivhaga chipped in with two late first half tries on the right-hand side of the field, both converted by Luan Giliomee, to push the SA U20s’ half-time lead to 50-0.
They scored an emphatic win over Uruguay. Photo: X/SA Junior Rugby
The Junior Boks added three more tries in the first 15 minutes of the second half, with replacements Cheswill Jooste, Jayden Brits, and Siphosethu Mnebelele all adding their names to the score sheet.
Steenkamp also scored his third try in the second half to push the Junior Boks’ tally to 90 points. Hard-working Gert Kemp then scored a converted try from a great run to make it 97-0 with five minutes to go.
When Brits raced away for his second try, it brought up the century for the Junior Boks, with Akahlulwa Boqwana adding his sixth straight conversion before Uruguay scored a consolation try at the death.
Strong performance
After the match, Foote said he was satisfied with both the 104-7 victory and the way his side approached the encounter.
“It’s awesome to finally get going after a long period of preparation. The players showed great intent from the start, and it’s pleasing to begin the tournament with a strong performance.”
The Baby Boks will next face hosts Georgia at the Avchala Rugby Stadium in Tbilisi. The match will kick off at 18:30.
Scorers:
Junior Springboks 104 (50) – Tries: Markus Muller, Jordan Steenkamp (3), Penalty try, Risima Khosa (3), Ethan Adams, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (2), Cheswill Jooste, Jayden Brits (2), Siphosethu Mnebelele, Gert Kemp. Conversions: Alzeadon Felix (2), Luan Giliomee (3), Akahlulwa Boqwana (6).
Uruguay U20 7 (0) – Try: Sebastian Rivero. Conversion: Juan Francisco Pereira.
