/ 6 April 1999

SA TAKE THIRD IN JUNIOR RUGBY

SOUTH Africa hauled back a feisty Irish team and overtook them 27-20 in the dying minutes to snatch third place in the World Rugby Junior Championships in Wales on Sunday. Ireland led with three penalites by centre Jeremy Staunton, before South Africa got on the score sheet with a goal from full back Conrad Jantjes. Two more penalty shots took it to 15-3 at the interval. When Ireland led 20-8 it seemed all over, but South Africa worked right wing Martin Holland over for a try and then No 8 and captain Johan van Niekerk scored with replacement Tiaan Snyman converting to make it 20-20. It was all South Africa in the last minutes and winger Holland scored the winning try, that Snyman converted.