After a pretty close set of games in the opening Round of the U18 International Series on Friday, Tuesday’s Round 2 saw some terrific performances yield strong victories.
It was a day to remember for the hosts, South Africa and South Africa A, who both recorded dominant victories, while France were also outstanding, bouncing back from opening round defeat to South Africa with a strong victory over England.
South Africa A 57-19 Georgia
Georgia arrived at this game confident after their historic opening round victory over England, however South Africa A had also shown their quality in an epic contest again Ireland, where they just lost out 39-36.
The opening exchanges reflected that, both sides scoring early from powerful mauls. In many ways though the game was almost settled by a moment within that opening fifteen minutes when Georgia burst free from inside their own half only to be caught with the line in sight by the South African defence. It seemed to galvanise the hosts, who scored soon after, again through their maul, before three further first half scores to head in at the break 31-5 to the good.
This Georgia side is not one to roll over lightly though, and they hit back quickly after half time to reduce things to 31-12. However ultimately there was just nothing that they could do to halt the South Africa A power game, Migael Turner in the second row was a thorn in the side in particular. That power then allowed the backs to cut loose, with the likes of Erin Nelson and skipper Jeandre Uithaler to the fore as they raced away for an incredibly impressive 57-19 victory.
Attention for both will now turn to Saturday’s final games at Paarl Gimnasium, with South Africa A opening the day’s proceedings against a confident France side, while Georgia take on Ireland straight after, two sides looking to prove a point after tough outings in Round 2.
South Africa 45-5 Ireland
If Friday’s 43-21 defeat of France was impressive, a whole new dictionary might be required to describe South Africa’s 45-5 defeat of Ireland on Tuesday. Ireland will have felt like they knew what they would be facing having been run so close by the A side in Friday’s opening round, but even they could not have foreseen the ferocity of this South African performance.
The opening half was a strong contest, the wind playing havoc at times, but South African patience from close range saw them score twice from close quarters in the opening 25 minutes, through the excellent AJ Meyer and Clinton Agu, before a third just before the break from livewire scrum half Jayden Brits, playing on his home turf at Boland Landbou, sealed a 17-0 lead.
After the break though, South Africa hit the gas, Lamla Mgedezi scoring almost straight from kick off, with another score not long after making things 31-0. Suddenly from likely Irish half time team talks of being in the game, the game was close to over just five minutes later.
However Ireland are not a side to give up and the duly blasted over from close range through skipper Harry Goslin, a bit of pride restored. A try from Jadrian Afrika almost straight after though stymied any potential momentum, and the scoring was rounded off in the final moments by the exceptional Ethan Adams.
It was ultimately a tough outing for Ireland, but without doubt they will be using it as motivation heading into Saturday’s final game against Georgia. South Africa meanwhile head into their game with England, Saturday’s 2.30pm BST kick off (3.30pm local time), full of momentum and looking to complete a clean sweep at the 2025 U18 International Series.
England 20-51 France
Both England and France arrived at Boland Landbou looking to bounce back from opening round defeats, England had gone down narrowly to Georgia, while France had lost out to irrepressible hosts South Africa.
France looked to be on it right from the off, scoring after just 2 minutes from their exceptional, and inspirational, skipper Lilian Baret. England did well though to calm the nerves and land an Oscar Talbot penalty shortly after to set in motion what would ultimately be a tight opening quarter. France scored back to back tries, with some very sharp and slick play, through Valentin Bouju and Loenzo Laoun, but England struck back through Aiden Reid for 10-15 after 22 minutes.
From there, France surged, scoring through Yanis Brosset, Gaetan Ngassa Manac’h, who was excellent, and Louis Favrou. Another Talbot penalty just halted the French momentum on the stroke of half time, but France went in 34-13 to the good. England responded well early in the second half though, and the replacements had an impact, none more so that Round 1 skipper Declan Treacey, who barged over with fifteen minutes to go for 34-20.
Perhaps the comeback was on, or so it felt for a fleeting moment, only for France to score immediately through Nolhan Watat. That score almost sucked the life away from the game as France scored a couple more to add some gloss, through Malobe Mbaye and Jules Freynet, for a 51-20 victory.
France now head into that final game against South Africa A on Saturday with real confidence and will certainly feel that a victory there and a 2/3 record from the Series would be a strong result. For England, the Series finishes with arguably the toughest challenge of all, taking on the superb and unbeaten South Africa U18 side. Without doubt though, they will be hugely motivated, and a strong performance there, perhaps even victory, would leave them heading home from the tour with a real spring in the step.
U18 International Series Round 3 Fixtures:
Saturday 16th August at Paarl Gimnasium
South Africa A v France – 10.30am UK / 11.30am SA
Georgia v Ireland – 12.30pm UK / 1.30pm SA
South Africa v England – 2.30pm UK / 3.30pm SA
U18 International Series Round 2 Results:
Tuesday 12th August at Boland Landbou
South Africa A 57-19 Georgia
South Africa 45-5 Ireland
England 20-51 France
U18 International Series Round 1 Results:
Friday 8th August at Durbanville High School
South Africa A 36-39 Ireland
Georgia 35-31 England
South Africa 43-21 France
