SA U18 International series – Day 1 Match Report.
The biggest school rugby series in the world kicked off today, featuring five countries and six teams all determined to showcase the best talent their nations have to offer.
Ireland U18 vs SA U18 A
The opening match was a gripping contest between Ireland and SA ‘A’. The home side looked to make an early statement, but it was Ireland’s determined captain, Lee Fitzpatrick, who powered over just three minutes after kick-off. SA ‘A’ struck back quickly, setting the tone for a see-saw battle.
Ireland kept pressing with wave after wave of attack, and seven minutes later, inside centre Bernard White crashed over for their second try. Again, SA ‘A’ responded, and momentum swung their way when Ncutu Kepe found another gear to score as SA went over twice in quick succession, putting daylight between the sides for the first time.
The hosts dominated the remainder of the half, and just before the break, Reinhart Viljoen caught the Irish off guard with a sharp tap-and-go to stretch the lead. Ireland managed a consolation try against the run of play to trail 26–19 at halftime.
The second half began with Ireland looking far more dangerous, moving the ball wide and punching holes through SA’s defence. Fitzpatrick bagged his second try, but SA ‘A’ hit back through Lizwe Mthetlina from another opportunistic tap-and-go. The visitors replied once more, keeping the scores tight.
A pivotal moment came when Viljoen’s clever kick in behind found Uithaler, but just metres from the line, his foot brushed the touchline the TMO ruling it no try. SA ‘A’ failed to capitalise, and careless play soon gifted Ireland a penalty to take a three-point lead.
The favour was returned moments later, and SA levelled the match. But with the clock winding down, ill-discipline proved costly. A penalty right before the final hooter gave Connor McVicker the chance to seal it. The Irish kicker held his nerve, slotting it through to clinch a thrilling 39–36 victory.
YouTube Highlights below:
England U18 vs Georgia U18
The day’s second encounter pitted England against Georgia. Opening with a passionate anthem, scenes that set the tone for the fierce battle that followed on the field.
Within minutes the first points lit up the scoreboard, to the surprise of many, it was Georgia who struck first through Iva Kviriahvili. England’s nervy restart went directly into touch, handing Georgia momentum. Moving the ball with ease, their No.13 sliced through the defence to set up Ioseb Ghvinjlia for a second try, and suddenly England looked in trouble.
Townsend broke the deadlock for England, powering over the scoreline with his first try of the series. Georgia kept the scoreboard ticking with a penalty to maintain their lead, yet England began to wrestle control. After 15 minutes of relentless pressure, Charlie Bray crossed the line for England’s second try. Georgia then suffered a setback, reduced to 14 men, and England capitalised with a well-worked maul to cross the line, taking a 21–13 lead into halftime.
Georgia came out firing in the second half, producing a brave maul from 15 metres out to close the gap. Against the run of play, Charlie Tamani produced a blistering breakaway try to restore England’s cushion, but Georgia refused to fade, hitting back again in the 50th minute.
With the match finely balanced, Oscar Talbot added a twist, slotting a drop goal from short distance with 15 minutes to play, giving England a four-point lead. But Georgia’s trademark maul proved decisive once more, driving over for another try to snatch a one-point advantage with two minutes left.
In the closing stages, England’s discipline crumbled. A reckless penalty gifted Georgia a straightforward shot at the poles, and the flyhalf made no mistake. The final whistle confirmed a famous 35–31 upset, with Georgia’s forward power and resilience stunning the English side.
YouTube Highlights below:
France U18 vs SA U18
The final game of the day and arguably the most anticipated saw the South African U18s take on France. SA came out all guns blazing, immediately retrieving their own kickoff to give Marcus Muller a short burst with the ball in hand. A well-placed penalty kick soon put SA five metres from the French line, and a textbook maul allowed Gert Kemp to dot down the first try.
The next ten minutes saw SA held quiet, but France suffered a huge blow when their No. 10 had to leave the field injured. Moments later, SA converted a failed maul into another try for Kemp, doubling their tally. The game was firmly in SA’s control when Amadi exploited France’s weak maul defence to score, and Liyema Nela’s pinpoint conversions extended the lead further.
Marcus Muller added his name to the scoreboard just before halftime, crossing after 32 minutes amid some controversy.
The second half started slower for SA, allowing France to gain momentum. They scored in the 38th minute following a powerful scrum and smart carry from Liliam Baret. Despite playing a man down, France showed resilience and doubled their score through Christian Tani, setting up an easy conversion for their flyhalf.
But SA maintained the pressure, driving France back to their own line. A five-metre lineout and wide ball movement created the space for Junaide Stuart to cross, pushing SA beyond 40 points.
The final ten minutes saw both sides battle hard, but the scoreboard remained unchanged. A late French knock-on summed up their day as South Africa cruised to a commanding 43–21 victory.
YouTube Highlights below:
A day packed with thrilling battles and standout performances saw teams push their limits on the international stage. South Africa’s clinical displays, paired with Georgia and Ireland’s resilient efforts, highlighted the fierce competition. With the next chapter on Monday teams have much to reflect on and we hope to see even greater performances.
