Junior Boks share spoils in cup opener

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A late Frank Vaenuku try for New Zealand denied the Junior Springboks victory in the opening match of the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship in Queensland on Thursday.

The right winger soared over the whitewash in the 78th minute to mark the final score 13-13 with the third touchdown of the first-round match at the Sunshine Coast Stadium.

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Trailing 3-0 at half time, the South Africans fought back and took the lead in extremely wet and windy conditions on Australia’s Gold Coast via the boot of flyhalf Tyler Sefoor and No 14 Joel Leotlela’s finish next to the uprights, after the Kiwis initially extended their advantage courtesy of speedster Stanley Solomon.

The Junior Boks will now refocus for a clash against hosts Australia next Tuesday, before finishing the tournament against Argentina on Sunday, 12 May.

Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images

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