Lange treble takes South Africa to title

South Africa 47 (26)

Tries: Nel 6, Lange 11, 27, 50, Hartzenberg 22, 56, James 60
Conversions: Mngomezulu 8, 13, 23, Koevort 50, Don 57, 61

Wales 27 (3)

Tries: Grady 45, Westwood 63, Fackrell 73, Jones 77
Conversions: Hawkins 64, 78
Penalties: Hawkins 9

Bulls hooker Tiaan Lange scored a hat-trick as South Africa overpowered Wales in Treviso to lift the U20s Six Nations Summer Series title and finish as the only unbeaten side in the competition.

The replacement hooker touched down for three of the Baby Boks’ seven tries after South Africa reached the final through dominant pool victories over England, Ireland, and France.

Junior Springboks captain Sacha Mngomezulu said participating and winning the competition was a dream come true for him and his team.

“The boys worked extremely hard, and they deserve this,” said Mngomezulu.

“Credit must also go to the coaches who made us work hard and put in such a good effort for us to be ready.

“It’s an amazing feeling standing here unbeaten after four games. Not too long ago, we didn’t even play rugby, so credit to World Rugby and the Six Nations for staging this excellent tournament. They allowed the boys to create lifelong memories.”

Bafana Nhleko’s team were impressive in the opening half, dominating the kicking game and possession, while the Welsh struggled with the South African physicality.

No.8 Louw Nel went over in the corner after a quick tap penalty for the first try of the match just six minutes in.

Wales skipper Joe Hawkins landed his first points when he nailed a penalty goal from the restart, but in the next move, Wales prop Nathan Evans was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle.

From the ensuing lineout, Lange scored the second try to stretch the Junior Boks’ lead.

Shortly after inside centre Suleiman Hartzenberg scored a brilliant try when he sliced though the Welsh defence from a lineout to score under the posts.

The Baby Boks went even further ahead a few minutes later with Lange burrowing over for his second score.

However, South Africa were reduced to 14 men when Nel was yellow carded for foul play and Wales utilised their numerical advantage as Mason Grady outpaced the opposing defence to score out wide at the start of the second half.

But South Africa hit back with Lange completing his hat-trick from close quarters and Hartzenberg grabbed his second when he won the foot race to a brilliant grubber by Nico Steyn.

Five minutes later an embarrassing defeat looked on the cards as Ethan James waltzed through to score under the posts and made it 47-8.

But Wales finished strongly with three late tries, the first by reserve fullback Joe Westwood who touched down Joe Hawkins’ grubber kick.

Flanker Ethan Fackrell and Cameron Jones scored last gasp tries to add some respectability to the score line with the contest long over.

Wales can hold their heads high having restored plenty of pride in the jersey through pool victories over Scotland, Georgia and Italy, after what was a disappointing Six Nations campaign that saw them finish in fifth earlier this year.

Referee: Damian Schneider
Star man: Tiaan Lange (South Africa)

MATCH STATS

Penalties conceded: 9/13
Scrums won: 4/3
Scrums lost: 2/4
Lineouts won: 14/16
Lineouts lost: 0/0
Yellow cards: 1/1
Red cards: 0/0

SOUTH AFRICA: Don, Letebele (Koevort 48), James, Hartzenberg, Khan (Nela 72), Mngomezulu © (Le Roux 33), Steyn; Lavagna (Else 51, Nunu 78), Vokozela (Lange 11), Weilbach (Mabece 51), Evans (Rahl 57), Ludwig, De Villiers (Mdletshe 72), Venter (Ningiza 61), Nel (Olivier 72)

WALES: Winnett (Hopkins 67), Andrew (A Williams 16), Grady (Westwood 63), Hawkins ©, Houston, Edwards (Phillips 57), Lloyd (Davies 51); Barratt (Jones 61), Burrows (Daniel 51, Veness 77), Evans (Williams 51), Tshiunza, Jenkins, B Williams (Morse 40, Salmon 69), Fackrell, Woodman (Martin 57)