The Junior Springboks opened their Junior World Championship title defence with a 104-7 demolition of Uruguay in Tbilisi on Saturday, crossing for 16 tries at Avchala Stadium in a performance that was as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests.
The victory extends their unbeaten run at the tournament to seven consecutive matches, equalling the streak they posted across the 2012 and 2013 editions.
The first half was largely one-way traffic. Markus Muller opened the scoring with a quick-tap try in the seventh minute, and Jordan Steenkamp added a second four minutes later with a sharp run down the left. A penalty try — awarded after Uruguay illegally collapsed a driving maul — made it 21-0 before Risima Khosa was driven over from an attacking lineout. Ethan Adams then ran an excellent line from another lineout to stretch the lead to 31-0.
Uruguay briefly forced the Junior Boks into a sustained defensive spell inside their own 22, but the SA U20s held firm and Steenkamp promptly scored his second on the counter. Wing Khuthadzo Rasivhaga finished the half with two tries on the right, both converted by Luan Giliomee, sending the teams to the break at 50-0.
The second half brought more of the same. Replacements Cheswill Jooste, Jayden Brits and Siphosethu Mnebelele all scored within the opening 15 minutes of the half. Khosa then completed his hat-trick with two tries in four minutes — Akahlulwa Boqwana converting all three of his attempts during that period — to make it 83-0 after 62 minutes. Steenkamp crossed for his third shortly after, Gert Kemp added a converted effort to bring up 97, and Brits' second try sealed the century before Uruguay scored a consolation try at the death through Sebastian Rivero.
Khosa and Steenkamp each finished with hat-tricks, while Boqwana converted six from six off the bench. Alzeadon Felix kicked the opening two conversions and Giliomee three.
Scorers — Junior Springboks 104 (50): Tries: Muller, Steenkamp (3), penalty try, Khosa (3), Adams, Rasivhaga (2), Jooste, Brits (2), Mnebelele, Kemp. Cons: Felix (2), Giliomee (3), Boqwana (6). Uruguay U20 7 (0): Try: Rivero. Con: Pereira.