Baby Boks thunder into JWC final
17 Jun 2012
GARETH DUNCAN reports on the Baby Boks’ 35-3 Junior World Championship semi-final victory Argentina at Newlands.
This was the SA U20s’ most convincing performance of the tournament.
Despite several errors on attack and at the lineouts and scrums, they ran in four tries to book a place in the title decider, which will be the team’s first-ever Junior World Championship final appearance. Reserve wing Raymond Ruhle (who got an early run-on as Paul Jordaan limped off with a hamstring injury) starred with a brace. The Free State speedster was unconvincing in his only other outing against Ireland, but he proved in this match that he’s an elusive runner when utilised effectively.
The two other tries were scored by inside centre Jan Serfontein and hooker Mark Pretorius. Flyhalf Handre Pollard – who controlled the game superbly and showed great temperament for a teenager still in matric – slotted five of his six goal attempts. Reserve pivot Tony Jantjies added a penalty.
While the Baby Boks easily outscored the Pumitas, it was their defence and breakdown dominance against a physical pack that was telling.
Argentina struggled to build momentum against the hosts, whose guard was impeccable. Assistant coach Brendan Venter deserves plaudits for setting these structures. They tackled well and their defensive organisation was on point.
Argentina were punted for their grunt up front during the midweek build-up. And rightfully so. It was central in their victories over Australia, France and Scotland during the group phase. They had the upper hand in the set-piece battle and the collisions early on, but this faded during the latter stages of the first quarter.
Once they got their eye in, the Baby Boks’ execution improved and the win was confirmed before the second-half restart. Their ball carries were powerful and their continuity on attack exposed the opposition’s fragile defence.
Following a Pollard three-pointer, Serfontein capitalised on the home team’s gamble of taking a penalty tap in a kickable position. Loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff and lock Paul Willemse sucked in the Argentinean defenders before the No 12 crashed over.
Moments before half-time, Pretorius dotted down after being set up by a strong driving maul before Ruhle showed great pace to break the defensive line and score his first try. The Baby Boks held a 22-0 advantage at the break.
Game, set, match South Africa.
Argentina scored their only points with an early penalty from flyhalf and captain Sebastian Poet. But it was all Baby Bok dominance thereafter. They suffocated Argentina by bossing possession and took the points when the opportunity arose. Ruhle completed his double, while Pollard and Tony Jantjies added nine points from the kicking tee.
Head coach Dawie Theron’s men were inconsistent during the group phase, but it seems they have shifted into fifth gear at the perfect time. They face four-time champions New Zealand in the final – which should be an epic finish to an entertaining tournament.
136 Comments
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17 Jun 2012, 21:42 pm
b_t
You are ignorant. I won’t explain why but to illustrate, you mentioned the national soccer team. They’ve won the African championship before (in ’96) and qualified for two WC’s (98 & 02). So within 10 years of re-admission they’d done a pretty decent job
Spies – some names for you: benni mccarthy, quinton fortune, aaron mokoena, bongani khumalo, steven pienaar, lucas radebe, shaun bartlett
17 Jun 2012, 21:47 pm
If u think ethnic SA blacks are good at sport – then good luck to you.
17 Jun 2012, 21:49 pm
@roobarb2(roobarb2)-98: As a youngster I loved his battle with Charlie Weir.Funnily enough I was a massive fan of Charlie Weir.
17 Jun 2012, 21:49 pm
@viewer(viewer)-101: Yep, I’m well aware of those guys viewer. We had a great football team as you alluded to but the deterioration and drying up of upcoming world class talent has been alarming: A steady decline over the last decade or so. We used to be one of the premier forces in Africa, now we cant even hold our own in Sub-Saharan Africa.
17 Jun 2012, 21:49 pm
Spies, good point. I don’t want to talk soccer on a rugby blog, but the reason is pure self-sabotage caused by greed & corruption. The entire professional game in SA is run Mafia-style by one man & his long-time ally
OK enough about soccer
17 Jun 2012, 21:55 pm
This brains ole needs to go.Dawn usually gets rid of of these types.
17 Jun 2012, 21:59 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-100: Race based supremacy
That is a reach my friend you are talking the biggest load of kak. I was commenting on the current dire football scene in the country. The best thing a really young player can do is get the hell out of the country and go through a real academy- it’s a wasteland out here for footballers.
17 Jun 2012, 22:00 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-99:
Indeed, it was a good year for us. I doubt whether we will more than 3 golds this year- Cameron van den Berg and Le Clos might perhaps get one or 2 between them, Barrie Stander has a chance in the MTB but I doubt whether it will be gold. Maybe one of the athletes Van Zyl, Semenya and Mokoene can get a gold but it is going to be tough.
17 Jun 2012, 22:02 pm
b_t, outside of genetic disadvantages (a reality) I think any ethnicity can excel at a sport. Sure, an African may never win an Olympic gold in swimming. Similarly a Caucasian will probably never again win an Olympic gold in a marathon
17 Jun 2012, 22:02 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-103:
Yip, old Charlie with the white streak of hair. I think Tap Tap knocked him out.
Charlie did at least once knock a police dog out- true story, it happened during his national service days apparently, lol.
17 Jun 2012, 22:04 pm
@SpiesIsWorthless(SpiesIsWorthless)-107: Don’t try to dodge the bullet now buddy.You were in total agreement with brains trash re ‘genetically inferior SA blacks’.
17 Jun 2012, 22:08 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-110: Yes,the Tap man knocked him out.Those were the days of real boxing where charisma was still very much part of the sport ,not this trash talking and thuggery between today’s boxers.
17 Jun 2012, 22:11 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-111: Nope. My first post on the subject I listed where our shortcomings were in soccer, pretty much across the board but I never mentioned genetics. We just dont have the structures anymore
17 Jun 2012, 22:24 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-88: Hi Tac, I’m concerned about Jordaan’s and Small-Smith’s injuries: both are outside centres (although Jordaan has played wing for the Bokkies). S-Smith’s knee looked buggered to me as well. I can’t see that he’ll be oaky for the final. The logical step would have been to move Jordaan to 13 but with his mamstring problem we are in trouble. I don’t know who’ll be 13 in the final.
Pity about the scrummies – I don’t think anyone of the 2 is class players – the Baby Blacks will target our 9 for sure!!
17 Jun 2012, 22:24 pm
@SpiesIsWorthless(SpiesIsWorthless)-113: Ok.Regarding our football it’s very disappointing to see the decline since our 1996 victory.I have to admit that the Gauteng mafia is solely responsible for the current state of our football.After our triumph in 96 they decided that no future Bafana will ever be lead by a white player and have so many Cape-based coloureds in it’t teams.You see the danger of race-based policies bud?It never works and will always lead to failure and anarchy and that’s the reason why I detest it so much.
17 Jun 2012, 22:28 pm
@CharlesM(CharlesM)-114: “hamstring problem”
PS. I saw the original captain, Liebenberg’s brother, yesterday at a school match. He is at HTS Drostdy and is still 16 years old and playing no 8. He seems to be taller than his “ouboet” and plays one heck of a game. He has been selected for the Boland Craven Week as loosie sub. He seems to be a good prospect – I’m not sure that he has enough speed for a top no 8 but he is no slouch either
17 Jun 2012, 22:33 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-115: Sure, I hate race based politics too, in fact I hate politics altogether.
Dont see a light at the end of the tunnel with our soccer either. The fatcats will continue to protect their interests by any means, they’ll keep hording the loot and making superficial changes but we’re down and out for the long haul unfortunately. Now enough about this silly round ball game
Loving the laissez faire approach from the politicians towards the national rugby team so far- long may it continue.
17 Jun 2012, 22:52 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-103: i boxed for Dan Bushney for years.
my dad and i would sit in the kitchen and listen to the boxing on the radio. all those guys were my hero’s.
Charlie Weir 9the silver assasin) got knocked out by Tap Tap in round 8, Tap Tap retired as champ, and won 12 pro fights in ONE YEAR. (his first year if i recall correctly)
just went on a pretty nostalgic trip down memory lane. i miss my dad.
17 Jun 2012, 23:13 pm
@roobarb2(roobarb2)-118: I don’t what to say to you bud.I guess you need to hold on to those great memories.I got introduced to my other love cricket as an 8th year old.I used to listen with him old Charles Fortune rambling away on shortwave back then.He passed away nearly 20 years ago but i will treasure those memories forever.
17 Jun 2012, 23:15 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-119: I am talking about my grandad here now.lol
17 Jun 2012, 23:22 pm
hell yeah, the memories are all good
17 Jun 2012, 23:48 pm
@roobarb2(roobarb2)-118: Do you still follow boxing bud?I used to love boxing back in the days when it was still respectable.As a young boy Gerrie Coetzee was my hero and I nearly broke my ankle jumping in the air after he knocked out Leon Spinks.lol.Back then there was a rumour that old Leon was a bit of a drug addict and the way he went down that day he surely looked like he was on drugs.lol.I think Gerrie later on lost to Big John Tate if I am correct.Gerrie’s battle with Mike Schutte was also very memorable.Gerrrie broke his hand when he took big Mike down if I am correct..
18 Jun 2012, 00:54 am
Okay,
So here goes-when the Bok U20 team lost their first game to Ireland I vented my frustration on this website-I even said my JWC was over. My better half was there and was subsequently also there to remind me, when I watched their next game, that I had said I wasn’t going to watch anymore.
Suffice to say that I am as pleased as punch they are in the final. I still stand by my previous comments, i.e.: that they were capable of better, and I think this result has proved that.
NOW, what we need RSA to do is to go into the final with a ‘can’t lose attitude’ and take the game to the Junior AB’s-and by that I don’t mean stupid rugby, but rather the attitude, the belief that this AB side is beatable! Keo has said over the years that RSA have paid too much respect to the NZ teams, and from my perspective this has definitely improved…a nice, solid ‘in your face’ advance on the haka would do just the trick…
18 Jun 2012, 01:05 am
@Phantom(Phantom)-123: Well to me this is one of our weaker u20 All Black sides and the u20 boks have more super 15 experience and a bigger forward pack so the u20 boks should go in as favourites in my mind….realistically the boks should win…
18 Jun 2012, 01:10 am
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-122:
hehe, that fight with Schutte involved knees, head and elbows. One of the dirtiest “fights” I can recall seeing under the definition of “boxing”
18 Jun 2012, 07:22 am
Need to get tickets for this final and soon.
18 Jun 2012, 07:35 am
The NZRFU decision to not allow NZ S15 players into the JWC is going to cost them I believe. Not sure how many S15 players would have qualified – Perenara for starters but that SA pack looks the goods.
18 Jun 2012, 09:14 am
The Final will also be played in front of a crowd never before seen at the tournament. Just a pity a large number of them will be “Mitchells Plain Maories” supporting the Baby Blacks.
The turn out at Newlands last night was awesome to see.
18 Jun 2012, 09:25 am
@scrumfan(scrumfan)-128: That is why we Bok-fans need to act fast.
18 Jun 2012, 09:28 am
@scrumfan(scrumfan)-128: no pity in that, the national team doesnt automatically deserve everyone’s support. that is earned.
people are free to support whoever they want.
also, these are just kids and the support, from wherever it comes, will be good for them. Its going to be a great final, and support for both sides will just enhance the atmosphere, like a local derby almost.
maybe the baby boks will convert some more fans this weekend, maybe not. either way supporting your national team is a choice, not an obligation.
i’ll certainly be wearing the green & gold, all weekend.
18 Jun 2012, 09:35 am
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-55:
You clearly need glasses, these guys are huge and will get bigger:
Jan Serfontein
Physical: 1.87 & 97
William Small-Smith
Physical: 1.84 & 91kg
raymond Rhule
189 88
Tshotsho Mbovane 175 81
The smallest of the lot and still bigger than Aplon
Get over yourself, HM likes them big…..
18 Jun 2012, 11:18 am
@jondood(jondood)-1: The No.8 Fabian Booysen actually had a very good game. You are the phantom.
18 Jun 2012, 11:19 am
@Xkreni-WP(Xkreni-WP)-131: All class players. I hope they all make the step up to Super Rugby soon.
18 Jun 2012, 11:22 am
@Phantom(Phantom)-123: That would be awesome while the crowd drowns out the haka by sing ole ole ole!
18 Jun 2012, 12:07 pm
@viewer(viewer)-109:
guys – you have all mis-understood my point ! I am amazed at how sensitive the SA public becomes whenever one mentions race. Get over yourselves, I am not trying to be controversial or practice “hate speech” as someone said.
the point is that certain groups are better at certain sports that others:
EG: blacks are faster sprinters than whites
Kenyans are the best distance athletes in the world
and per capita, Aussies are the best cricketers and swimmers in the world
NZL has the best rugby team in the world
The NBA & NFL are dominated by African Americans that originated from West Africa, players like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson are from West African origins and they have far better sporting abilities than the indigenous populations of Southern Africa. This is a FACT.
18 Jun 2012, 13:52 pm
@brains_trust(brains_trust)-135: I hear what you’re saying…certain races of people have red twitch fibre in their muscles and some white twitch which suits some for sprinting and others for long distance running..or something like that..
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