Springboks
The Junior Springboks got their short tour to Georgia off to a winning start beating the Georgian under-20 side 38-29 at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi on Sunday.
The baby Boks led their hosts 26-17 at halftime.
The South Africans scored six tries and four conversions, while Georgia U20s replied with five tries, but only two were converted.
“It was a fantastic hit out for us, considering that we played in conditions that we’re not used to,” said coach, Kevin Foote, from a freezing Tbilisi.
“We started really well and then the penalty count started going against us, something we will have to look at from a disciplinary perspective.”
Despite some lapses in concentration which led to the penalties Foote said he saw enough to be encouraged.
“We came here with objectives in mind, and that was to be really good in our set piece, and think our lineouts are starting to take shape; our mauls are looking good and our scrums as well,” he said.
“However, a big work-on for us is our maul defence and making sure we get our roles right – and that goes through every aspect, making sure we don’t get those big spikes, where we are really good, and then falling off our detail.
“The second thing to work on is to carry clean and make sure we are nice and clinical with our clean outs. Those are two things that really stood out for us.”
Foote was also pleased with his team’s defensive effort: “I thought our defence was good, the guys did well in general defensive play, and I think we understood our game management when we had ball in hand, understanding when to kick and when not to kick.
“I am pleased and respectful of the effort in conditions that are foreign to us, against an opponent who are used to the conditions and being able to adapt its plan to make it difficult for us, especially when we got the yellow card in the second half.”
The two teams will meet on Friday for the second and last meeting of the series.
Scorers:
Georgia U20 29 (17) – Tries: Shota Kheladze, Saba Laghedze (2), Beka Neparidze, Nugzar Kevkhisvili. Conversions: David Tsiklauri, Giorgi Sesiashvili.
Junior Springboks 38 (29) – Tries: Gilermo Mento, Chijindu Okonta, Dominic Malgas, Divan Fuller, Cheswill Jooste, Xola Nyali. Conversions: Matthew Coetzee (3), JT Kapank.
