U19 2007 RWC - South Africa destroy Fiji
3 Apr 2007
Fiji’s players were denied a dream debut in Division A at the IRB Under 19 World Championship 2007 by a strong and well organised South African team who were out to prove that their eighth place finish in 2006 was an aberration.
From the start South Africa took the game to Fiji but found their defence in fine form, denying them a scoring opportunity for the first fifteen minutes.
When a penalty was eventually conceded the Springboks opted to kick to touch and secure a lineout on the five metre line. The pack drove over prop Corne Fourie to claim the opening try.
South Africa were dominating territory, whilst Fiji made only rare forays into South Africa’s half and conceded penalties in their quest to deny South Africa any further scoring opportunities.
Their efforts were in vain as flanker Johan van Deventer was next to get his name on the score sheet when the pack once more mauled their way over.
Having opened their account the South African back division demonstrated their skills by spreading possession wide for full back Wilton Pietersen to grab his first try of the match.
As the interval approached Fiji came into the game more by running the ball wide every time they had possession.
Their reward finally came when flanker Jese Cirikisuva rounded the opposition to score Fiji’s only points of the match, their first ever in Division A.
In the second half South Africa were again the first to score but Fiji battled hard, tackling with determination but unable to stop Wilton Peterson creating space and running in his second and South Africa’s fourth try.
Stefan Watermayer completed a personal haul of 14 points, when firstly he created an overlap and ran in unopposed and then breaking through a tackle to complete his brace,.
Warermayer converted one, with fly half Francois Brummer adding the final two points of the match.
Quotes
South Africa captain Gerrit van Veize: “We did not start well getting some of the basics wrong. The first lineout went astray but that was down to us being over eager. We need to improve on the first phase attacks. We scrummaged well on their ball but not so well on our own.”
South Africa coach Eric Sauls: “We were pleased to limit Fiji to just five points. We pride ourselves on our defence. It’s a thing we have worked hard on but conceding a try proves that we still have work to do.”
