Wales Head Coach Chris Davey had made several changes to his starting line-up for this clash after a far from comfortable seven-try victory over Russia U21 in the opening match.
Wales U21 Captain Jonathan Mills was replaced at lock by Alun Wyn Jones of Swansea whilst Richard Dale of Newport had given way to Tom Brown of Hartpury College in the other lock position. Gavin Evans, who scored in the opening match was replaced at centre by Andrew Bishop, Lee Thomas had replaced Stephen Ireland. Jonathan Edwards, who came into the squad to replace Richie Pugh, took the captain’s armband.
As the match began, South Africa U21’s early 19-0 lead began to suggest that a cricket score was on the cards. Earl Rose claimed a hat-trick, and with two conversions out of the three successfully kicked the young Springboks looked to be out of site.
However, Wales U21 dug in, showed some grit and produced one of the finest comebacks of all time to put themselves into the ascendancy when the match could have quite easily been beyond them. Tries from Lee Thomas, Richard Rees and a brace from Matthew Nuthall coupled with three successful conversions gave Wales U21 26 points on their side of the scoreboard.
South Africa U21 had responded to the barrage with an unconverted try of their own from Sangoni Mxoli. 26-24 going into the closing stages Wales U21 looked good for a famous tournament victory before a double-dose of heartbreak struck.
First, desperate to maintain their 100% record South Africa U21’s fly-half Derrick Hougaard produced a moment of guile and rescued them from defeat as the clock ticked down with a drop goal that put them one point in front at 26-27. Then as Wales U21 continued to apply pressure and refused not to panic a glimmer of hope came in the form of an injury time penalty against South Africa U21.
Lee Thomas, who had scored a try earlier in the match stepped up in the final seconds, but with the penalty forty metres out he pushed the kicked wide and ultimately the spoils were gifted to the Springboks.
