SA u-19 world champs 2005
Brad Morgan
18 April 2005
Durban's Absa Stadium was the scene of wild celebrations on Sunday as South Africa's under-19 rugby team were crowned world champions after a gutsy 20-15 victory over defending champs New Zealand.
An enthusiastic crowd celebrated a hard-fought victory by a side that clearly understood the concept of teamwork.
'Immense heart and soul'
South African captain Alistair Hargreaves, grinning maniacally, was on cloud nine after his team's stirring victory: "We're absolutely so happy, it's frightening", Hargreaves said. "We came here to win and achieved that, and every one of the guys played with immense heart and soul."
Coach Eugene Eloff commented: "It was a typical final between South Africa and New Zealand, very physical, very hard and, until the end, it could have gone either way. Our defence held out and the guys showed a lot of character to win it."
Early on, the "Baby Blacks" had the first chance
to get on the board, but Steve Alfeld missed a penalty.
Not long after, fortune favoured South Africa. A long range kick at goal by Francois Steyn fell short of target and was marked. The Kiwis, though, threw a poor pass as they attempted to set up a clearance kick. The industrious "Chilliboy" Ralepelle flew in to charge down the kick, and centre JP Vermeulen was the first man on hand to fall on the ball in the in-goal area.
Jody Rose slotted the conversion to put the "Baby Boks" 7-0 in front.
Matters became a little bit tougher for the home side, however, when flanker Hilton Lobberts, an outstanding performer throughout the competition, was sin-binned for a late tackle, arguably a tough call by the referee.
Snapped over a drop kick
SA, though, stayed on the offensive and further extended their lead when Francois Steyn snapped over a drop kick off a ball stolen from a New Zealand put in at the lineout.
The New Zealanders
fought back, and just before the break lock Nick Croswell drove over from close range to reduce the deficit. Alfeld added the conversion to cut South Africa's advantage to only three points at 10-7.
With only a minute to go to the break, the South Africans again increased their lead. Shandre Frolick, who impressed with his pace and incisive running, was in position to take a try-scoring pass from Luvuyo Mhlobisa after he had gathered a long kick ahead. Rose was again on target with the kick - this time from the touchline - to put South Africa 17-7 in front at the half.
New Zealand should have been back in the game in the first minute of the second half when Sekope Kepu went over on the left. The referee, though, wasn't sure that the ball had been dotted down. When he consulted the television match official (TMO), his suspicions proved correct, with the TMO spotting that Kepu had dropped the ball.
20-7 up
Jody Rose then increased the
South African lead, knocking over a penalty to put them 20-7 up.
The Kiwis came out on the right side of a TMO decision shortly afterwards when captain George Whitelock was awarded a five-pointer. The conversion was wide, leaving New Zealand 20-12 down.
Midway through the half, Alfeld was successful with a penalty from just outside the Baby Boks' 22-metre area, 15 metres in from the right hand touchline, to bring the defending champs to within a try of South Africa.
As the match wound down, Whitelock and co launched attack after attack on the South African line, but the defence was committed and strong, blunting everything the Kiwis threw at it.
Contrast of emotions
When the final whistle blew the contrast in emotions was stark. The South Africans hollered and yelled, running around wildly looking for someone to hug, while across the way from them the New Zealanders sank to the ground, feeling the pain of defeat in a match for a
world championship title.
New Zealand coach "Aussie" McLean said: "I'm really proud of our guys, they played with a lot of courage ... We played a lot of good rugby. We just didn't take some of the opportunities that we had. But I am very proud of them.
"South Africa are a very good side, and well done to them."
Australia edge England
In the playoff for third at the same venue, Australia edged England 29-21, running in four tries to England's three. They led 19-7 at halftime.
England came back strongly in the second half, and at the death it took a number of viewings by the TMO to deny them a try in the corner, leaving Australia to take a hard-fought victory.
France sneak by Wales
In other playoff matches in Durban on Sunday, France sneaked by Wales 13-10 in their showdown.
Charles Platek scored a brace of tries for the French, while William Rhys Jones and Aaron Bramwell crossed for
tries for the Welsh. A drop goal by Thibaud Duvallet, on the stroke of full time, snatched victory for France.
Ireland on top of Scotland
Ireland downed Scotland 15-8 after leading 9-0 at the break.
The Scots had the satisfaction of scoring the only try of the contest through hooker Sean Crombie, but the Irish, with four penalties by captain Robert Kearney and another by Fergus McFadden, came away with the win.
Romania shock Argentina
Romania shocked South American champions Argentina 21-13 as they ran in two tries to one.
It was a hard, physical battle in which the Romanians, who trailed 13-8 at the break, came from behind for a well-deserved victory.
Japan beat Georgia
Japan secured their status in Division A with a convincing 24-0 win over Georgia.
They led 10-0 at halftime and ran in three tries to nil.
Samoa booked their place in Division A
for 2006 with a 31-17 defeat of Uruguay in the B Division final.
The Samoans outscored the Uruguayans six tries to two. Fullback Timoteo Iosua scored two tries and landed three conversions for personal haul of 16 points.
RESULTS
DIVISION A
South Africa 20-15 New Zealand
Australia 29-21 England
France 13-10 Wales
Ireland 15-8 Scotland
Romania 21-13 Argentina
Japan 24-0 Georgia
DIVISION B
Samoa 31-17 Uruguay 19 -12
South Korea 22 – 22 USA (Korea won five penalties to four)
Chile 38-22 Paraguay
Namibia 33-21 Zimbabwe
Italy 34-17 Tonga
Russia 38-0 Spain
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