Wales U21; minus several key players because of injury and senior duty, were brave in defeat, but had no answer to the power and pace of the young Springboks. Prop Rhys Thomas and fly-half Nicky Robinson scored tries for Wales U21, who finished the match with fourteen men after Cardiff backrower James Malpas was red-carded for throwing punches.
South Africa U21, who ran in five tries to Wales U21’s two dished out a lesson in finishing and made good on their share of an even spread of scoring chances at either end of the pitch.
Wales U21 took an early lead as Nicky Robinson slotted through two penalties, but as the young dragons squandered their scoring opportunities South Africa U21 took all theirs. Leading 24-6 at the break, the young Springboks ran in tries from scrum half Fourie Du Preez, lock Gordon Gilfillan and flanker Schalk Burger.
Thomas crashed over for his try early in the second half helping to redress the balance somewhat, but aside from a further penalty from Robinson plus a try from the fly half which he duly converted with just two minutes to go Wales U21 were wasteful and the Springbok machine was allowed to pull further and further away.
Wales U21 were not without their share misfortune, a try from lock Bryn Griffiths was disregarded after James Malpas was sent off for punching the aforementioned Gilfillan on the ground. Johnny Vaughton was also tackled into touch in South Africa U21’s in-goal area nullifying the hard work and endeavour of a superb Welsh counter-attack. Two opportunities missed that would have provided a potential fourteen points.
South Africa U21 survived the yellow-carding of three players through the course of the match and stepped up through the gears during the second half scoring tries through fullback Braden Ferreira and wing Tonderai Chavanga. Fly half Derick Hoegaard’s contribution from the boot provided five conversions, four penalties and a drop goal providing twenty-five points himself.
Ironically it was Wales U21’s performance against Argentina U21 that ultimately cost them a place in the final four. Failing to score a bonus point through four tries allowed opportunity in the table which was was taken by Argentina U21. The young Pumas, took the place in the semi-finals after they earned a bonus point victory in their 30-19 demolition of Ireland U21 at Oxford, leaving the young dragons to face England U21 in the play-off for a place in the fifth and sixth place play-off.
