CRAIG RAY, Buenos Aires | Sunday 11.00am.
THE final of the SANZAR/UAR under-21 tournament was an absolute thriller as both New Zealand and South Africa proved that depth of rugby in these to giants of the game is extremely deep. South Africa won 27-25 after trailing 10-15 at the break.
South Africa were the eventual winners, outscoring New Zealand by three tries to one to take the title by 27-25, but they had to wait until late to know that the silverware would cross the Atlantic and go back home with them.
The Baby Boks trailed by 12 points with seven minutes to go, after the lethal boot of New Zealand flyhalf Ashley Barron had kept his side in the lead for the entire match. He converted a perfect seven out of seven kicks.
But two late tries for the South Africans from centre De Wet Barry and left wing Frikkie Welsh secured the win.
Welsh’s try came four minutes into injury time, but the real pressure was left to fullback Johan Roets who needed to convert the angled kick to crown the South Africans as champions.
It was not the prettiest strike but the ball wobbled over to ensure South Africa’s first title after five years of trying.
The opening 40 minutes provided the type of rugby that one hopes the two senior teams will produce in the Tri-Nations clash on August 7.
Powerful forward play from both teams, coupled with skilful interplay from the big men up front and hard running from the backs ensured a match high in tempo and commitment.
The South Africans dominated the first ten minutes, but it was New Zealand who got the first points thanks to a penalty from Barron.
Barron then succeeded with a further three penalties to give the Baby Blacks a solid 12-0 lead after 25 minutes.
Three minutes later, giant South African lock Daniel Vickerman scored the first try of the final from a drive close to the New Zealand line, to put the green and golds back in the match.
It was the 24th try for the South Africans in the tournament, but it was their discipline that was the downfall in the first stanza.
A fifth first half penalty for Barron and one for South Africa from Roets saw the men in black take a 15-10 halftime lead.
The final five minutes of the half were dominated by the Baby Boks, but the defence of the All Blacks was fearsome, stopping wave after wave of attackers in their tracks.
After swapping early second half penalties, the game was meandering along when New Zealand wing Rico Gear swooped on a loose ball and raced 40 metres to score.
New Zealand were seemingly out of sight with a 25-13 lead, but the South Africans showed why they are were top scoring side in the competition as they applied immense pressure due to some inspired changes among the pack.
Barry’s try brought them within range, but it was a final ten minute onslaught from the rejuvenated pack that won the day.
Prop Eduard Coetzee provided the base on which the eventual victory was secured.
The Baby Blacks defended bravely and looked as if they may hold out. They repelled a series of scrums late in the game and were in danger of conceding a penalty try as a host of penalties went against them.
The winning try however, was mercifully not left to the referee as South Africa moved the ball wide for Welsh to sprint over and level the score.
Roets proved the hero with his conversion, providing a fitting end to a tournament that provided a taste of what is to come in World Cup 1999. — MWP
Scorers:
New Zealand – Tries: Rico Gear, Conversion: Ashley Barron, Penalties: Barron (6).
South Africa – Tries: Daniel Vickerman, De Wet Barry, Frikkie Welsh, Conversions: Johan Roets (3), Penalties: Roets (2).