SA U18 'A' opened the 2026 Under-18 International Series with a 32-31 victory over Ireland at HS Durbanville on Friday, secured by a replacement flyhalf's penalty in the dying minutes.
The home side built a 17-7 half-time cushion through tries from Charl Els and Werner de Bruin, with Jaydon Viljoen converting both and adding a penalty. Ireland responded in the second half through hooker Herbie Doyle, who crossed twice, with Micheal Smyth and Matthew McCarthy also touching down. David Nolan and Luke Coffey shared the conversion duties, and a Coffey penalty swung the lead to Ireland at 29-28 with minutes remaining.
Travis Pheiffer, introduced from the bench at flyhalf, missed a long-range attempt before slotting the match-winning penalty to edge the hosts in front for the final count. Martin van Niekerk and Amogelang Mataboge were SA's other try scorers, with Viljoen finishing with three conversions and a penalty.
SA U18 'A' next face Georgia U18 on Tuesday, 11 August at Boland Landbou in Wellington.