The Junior Springboks produced a physically dominant display to beat tournament hosts Georgia 33-5 in Tbilisi on Thursday evening, claiming their second bonus-point win from two Junior World Championship matches.
The result puts South Africa clear at the top of Pool A on 10 points — one ahead of Wales on nine — and sets up a winner-takes-all group decider against the Welsh next Tuesday.
Georgia made a fiery start in front of a passionate home crowd, but the Junior Boks' pack gradually asserted control through set-piece dominance and uncompromising work at the breakdown. Captain Siphosethu Mnebelele crossed twice in the first half from driving mauls, while lock Heinrich Theron — forming an effective second-row partnership with JD Hattingh — helped tip the scrum battle in South Africa's favour and disrupt multiple Georgian lineouts. South Africa ran out five-try to one winners.
Mnebelele, who was part of last year's Junior Bok squad in Italy, pointed to the team's composure as the key factor. "We knew it was always going to be a tough match against Georgia. We've played them several times this year and every encounter has been physical and highly competitive. Credit to the team for staying composed and finding a way to get the win under difficult circumstances."
Theron acknowledged Georgia's intensity before crediting the squad's collective response. "They really came hard at us, which we expected because they are such a physical side and a very proud rugby nation. We stayed in the fight after they made a fiery start — we did what South Africans do. We are a very close-knit group that loves playing for each other and our country."
Both players were quick to shift focus to Wales, with Mnebelele noting the squad would use the five-day turnaround to recover and prepare. Pool A will be settled next Tuesday, with the four semi-finalists confirmed after the final round of group matches. New Zealand lead Pool B on 10 points, while Argentina and Australia share the top of Pool C, also on 10.