Junior All-Americans Struggle Mightily In JWC Loss To South Africa

The Junior All-Americans knew that they were going to have to step up in all aspects of their game is they were going to have success against South Africa in their opening match of the Junior World Championships. And after suffering a 97-0 defeat the team is now painfully aware how much of a step up in speed and skill it takes to succeed at the JWC.

South Africa were always favorites in the match and with players from all of the Super Rugby franchises as well as the Blitzbokke they imposed their will on the U.S. early and often. Straight from the kickoff South Africa ran down the throats of the All-Americans. The U.S. could not contain the back three of Cheslin Kolbe, Luther Obi, and Seabelo Senatla who each had tries. Senatla finished the match with four tries with center Justin Geduld had two.

Take the jump to read more.
Only fifteen minutes into the match the U.S. found themselves down 18-0. The only saving grace for the All-Americans was the atrocious kicking by the Babyboks. Unless the try was scored in front of the posts Handre Pollard, and later Robert Du Preez, continually missed makable conversions. By 30 minutes into the match South Africa led 40-0 and by halftime they had a 54-0 lead.

In the second half it looked like it would be just a matter of time before South Africa crossed the 100 point threshold (they are the only team do to so in the history of the JWC). They scored to quick tries to push their lead to 71-0 with 50 minutes gone. The only notable sequence during this time for the All-Americans was a high tackle from Newcastle product Jared Stewart who was lucky not to go into the bin. By that point the ref had to have sympathy on the U.S. and wanted to see them play with 15 men.

The South African onslaught continued as they ran in one try right after another. The All-Americans had a terrible day in terms of tackling. They couldn't keep up with the pace of South Africa and often found themselves grasping at straws. With ten minutes to go a converted try put the score a 97-0.

But the All-Americans showed resilience. An intercept by Mike Teo on what looked to be a sure South African try gave the U.S. momentum and confidence. Teo was chased down deep down the field but the U.S. was able to keep possession and run some nice sequences. However, every time they went to make the final push South Africa either held up the ball or the U.S. committed a turnover. South Africa nearly topped the 100 point mark at the end of the match but a knock-on in the tryzone kept that from happening.

Overall, the gap between the South African team and the U.S. was apparent. The All-Americans may have had a great tournament last year, but that was last year and this is now. If they are going to have success and stay in the competition they are going to have to harness the energy they had in the last ten minutes and up their game in all aspects. But that is why they play these tournaments. The U.S. will next face hosts France on Sunday.