The SA U19 side claimed a second win in as many matches as they wrapped up their two-match tour with a 40-33 victory over Georgia U19 on Thursday.
The team won their first match 28-21 at the same venue, and they were once again tested to the limit by a determined Georgian outfit.
The SA U19 side dominated the first half and their efforts paid off as they outscored the hosts four tries to one – which featured a brace by fullback Muzi Manyike – for an encouraging 26-12 half-time lead.
They added two tries in the second half, taking their tally in the match to six but they conceded three after the break, which made Georgia suffer a narrow seven-point defeat.
‘It was a successful tour and we got to see exactly what we wanted to against quality opposition,’ said Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux.
‘I thought we started this match better than the first one, and we were unlucky not to have scored two or three more tries in the first half.
‘We also made several changes throughout the match to give everyone a chance to play, and that disrupted the momentum a little. But that was the reason for the tour – to give everyone an opportunity and to see what they are capable of in tough circumstances.’
Roux added that although they won both matches, he attached no significance to the scoreboard.
‘We are currently in our off-season, while they are in the middle of their season, so in terms of our conditioning we are not where we should be, but that is understandable,’ added Roux.
‘In terms of the scoreboard, it is not something we look at. The fact that they got a red card and we allowed them to play on with 15 players to test ourselves certainly had in influence in the result, but the main purpose of this tour was to assess the players, and we are pleased that we achieved that.’
Georgia U19: 33 – Tries: Levan Kushashvili, Luka Khekhelashvili, Ioane Iashaghashvili, Giorgi Margalitadze, Temur Kokhodze. Conversions: Sandro Margiani, Lasha Lomidze (3).
SA U19: 40 – Tries: Muzi Manyike (2), Morne Brandon, Jason Alexander, Stravino Jacobs, Jaden Hendrikse. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (3), Juan Mostert, Hendrikse.
Photo: @JuniorBoks/Twitter
