The Junior Springboks began their World Rugby U20 Championship title defence in emphatic fashion, overwhelming Uruguay 104-7 in Tbilisi on Saturday evening. Risima Khosa and Jordan Steenkamp each crossed for three tries as the defending champions ran in 16 scores at Avchala Stadium, racing to a 50-0 half-time lead.
The victory extended the Junior Boks' tournament winning streak to seven matches, equalling their best run across the 2012 and 2013 editions. After a scrappy opening, Markus Muller opened the scoring with a try from a quick-tap penalty in the seventh minute, converted by Alzeadon Felix. Steenkamp showed his pace down the left four minutes later to make it 14-0, before a penalty try was awarded in the 17th minute when Uruguay illegally collapsed a South African driving maul.
Khosa powered over from an attacking lineout to extend the lead to 26-0, with Ethan Adams adding another two minutes later. Despite the one-sided scoreline, the Junior Boks were forced to defend for a six-minute spell inside their own 22 as Uruguay fought back, but the South Africans held firm. Steenkamp collected his second try before the break, with Khuthadzo Rasivhaga adding two late first-half scores as the defending champions took complete control.