South Africa picked up the victory and bonus point they needed to qualify for the semi finals, ending host nation Ireland’s hopes of winning the IRB Under 19 World Championship 2007 with the 31-5 loss at Ravenhill.
The defeat means that Ireland finish ninth in the Division A standings after the pool stages and can therefore finish no higher than that, a disappointment given they finished fifth in last year’s tournament in Dubai.
The major difference between the two sides on the night was the size advantage that South Africa had, Ireland giving away considerable bulk to their counterparts and as a result their aspirations of a famous win floundered.
South Africa played with a very determined attitude and stuck to a game plan that was clearly designed to be patient and collect maximum points, whereby ensuring their semi final berth and an marked improvement on their eighth place finish as defending champions in 2006.
Strength in numbers
The first try came in the 19th minute, the South African pack taking lineout ball in the Ireland half and setting up a dangerous rolling maul from which prop Frederick Kirsten touched down. Centre Stefan Watermeyer converted to give his side a 7-0 lead.
South Africa’s pack continued to stamp their authority on the game and set about punching holes in the Irish defence, which ultimately ran out numbers as valiant scramble defence was not enough to keep out wing Vainon Willis, who used his considerable reach to place the ball on the try line.
However South Africa’s dominance was at times interrupted by surges from wing Paddy Brophy and his colleagues in the Irish back line. These revivals, though, were short lived as their pack expended so much energy in winning ball, they could not make the vital breakdowns.
Ireland therefore went in at half time trailing 14-0 after Scott Deasy missed a penalty, although they did rally somewhat in the second half with Brophy and Jamie Smith charging at the South African defence.
Final say