The SA Under-18 side recorded their biggest opening-round score in the U18 International Series history on Friday, running in eight tries to dismantle France U18 52-7 at HS Durbanville in Cape Town's northern suburbs.
The result extends an unbeaten run in the series that now spans victories over France, Ireland and England across the 2024 and 2025 editions. Friday's margin surpassed previous opening-round wins of 46-20 and 43-21 against the same opponents.
South Africa led 21-7 at halftime, with fullback Lamla Mgedezi crossing first after nearly ten minutes of early pressure that was repeatedly undone by handling errors. No 8 and captain Jacobus de Villiers and right wing Anesu Kuzonyei added further tries, all converted by flyhalf Ethan van Biljon. France's only score came through Luani Suta.
The second half was one-way traffic. Ncutu Kepe, Stefan van der Vyver, Luke Boyle and Thabiso Simelane all crossed, with Mgedezi completing his brace to round off the scoring. Van Biljon finished with four conversions, with Achmat Behardien adding a fifth.
Earlier on the same ground, the SA U18 'A' side edged Ireland 32-31, a late penalty from Travis Pheiffer proving the difference.
The SA U18s return to action on Tuesday, 11 August, when they face Ireland at the Boland Landbou fields outside Wellington, with kickoff at 15h30.