The SA Under-18 side opened their U18 International Series campaign with a dominant 52-7 victory over France at HS Durbanville in Cape Town on Friday — their biggest winning margin in an opening round of the competition.
The South Africans led 21-7 at halftime but were far more clinical after the break, running in five second-half tries to finish with eight for the match. Previous opening-round wins over France stood at 46-20 and 43-21, making this the most emphatic of the three.
Fullback Lamla Mgedezi opened the scoring after nearly 10 minutes, with captain and No 8 Jacobus de Villiers and right wing Anesu Kuzonyei adding further first-half tries — all converted by flyhalf Ethan van Biljon. France's only points came from a Luani Suta try.
The second half belonged entirely to the South Africans. Left wing Ncutu Kepe, loose forward Stefan van der Vyver, outside backs Luke Boyle and Thabiso Simelane, and Mgedezi with his second extended the lead. The result keeps South Africa's unbeaten record in the series intact across their matches against France, Ireland and England in 2024 and 2025.
Earlier at the same venue, the SA U18 'A' side edged Ireland 32-31, a late Travis Pheiffer penalty proving the difference. England made a forceful statement in the other fixture, beating Georgia 66-33.