U19 2007 RWC - France put pressure on South Africa
8 Apr 2007
France claimed their second victory of the IRB Under 19 World Championship 2007 with a 17-8 win which leaves South Africa needing to beat Ireland in their final pool match to finish in the top four.
The game at Ravenhill was a bruising encounter with both sides eager to add to their opening match victories. There was an added edge to the game with France having beaten South Africa 42-3 in last year’s tournament.
France lost prop Erwin Iapteff early in the game due to a neck injury. The scrums were a heavily contested area of the game thereafter, with neither team gaining an advantage.
Full back Mathieu Belie gave France an early lead when he kicked a long range penalty. Belie utilised the wind advantage throughout the first half to pin South Africa deep into their half.
Aggressive French defence then led to a mix-up by South Africa which French captain Morgan Parra seized upon and he dived under the posts. Belie slotted the conversion for a 10-0 lead.
South African try
Wing Stephan Dippenaar pulled a try back for South Africa on 20 minutes after good work by the South African forwards. The conversion was held up in the wind leaving South Africa trailing by five points.
On the stroke of half time the powerful French centre Mathieu Bastareaud shrugged off two challenges to touch down, with Belie again converting to give France a 17-5 lead at the break.
The South Africans looked like they could turn the game around when centre Stefan Watermeyer kicked a penalty early in the second half, but that was the only scoring of the second period.
Defences remained on top for the rest of the half, with South Africa’s inability to secure possession allowing the French to take a strangle hold on the game.
France were reduced to 14 men late on when lock Yoann Maestri was yellow carded but their strong defence kept the South Africans out.
France now move on to play defending champions Australia in their final pool match at Deramore, Belfast Harlequins.
QUOTES:
South African captain, Gerrit van Velze: “I am disappointed as we could not turn our opportunities into points. We missed tackles and that makes it much worse. However, we will look forward to scoring four tries against Ireland and meeting the French in the semi finals.”
South African head coach, Eric Sauls: “We expected it to be a tough game. The try before half time proved to be the turning point. There were too many mistakes which cost us but we will be positive for the next game.”
French head coach Christophe Mombet: “We are very proud to have beaten South Africa for the second year. We need to recover for a big game against Australia and see if our prop will be fit. We have a good group of players and I am pleased with the spirit in the squad.”
