Impressive SA U18 outplay France in opening round

The SA Under-18 side swept aside France U18 by 52-7 to record their biggest opening round score of the annual U18 International Series, which kicked off Friday at HS Durbanville in the northern suburbs of Cape Town.

The South Africans led 21-7 at half-time and were unstoppable in the second stanza to maintain their impressive unbeaten record in the competition.

The SA U18’s victory meant they are still unbeaten after they beat their age-group counterparts from France, Ireland and England in 2024 and 2025.

After 46-20 and 43-21 victories over the French in the two previous opening rounds, they upped the ante by scoring eight tries against their European opponents.

The SA U18s began the first half brightly by creating numerous opportunities, which had France on the backfoot. Unfortunately for them and the home supporters, they made this good work undone by committing handling errors.

They finally broke the deadlock after almost 10 minutes when fullback Lamla Mgedezi sliced through the French defence for the first try. Further tries by No 8 and captain Jacobus de Villiers and right wing Anesu Kuzonyei – all converted by flyhalf Ethan van Biljon – gave the South Africans a deserved 21-7 lead at the halfway stage, with France replying with a try by Luani Suta.

It was one way traffic in the second half, with the South Africans scoring five more times.

Tries by Ncutu Kepe (left wing), Stefan van der Vyver (loose forward), Luke Boyle, Thabiso Simelane (replacement outside backs) and Mgedezi – completing his brace – handed the SA U18s a winning start to this popular annual age-group international series.

The SA U18s tackle Ireland on Tuesday in their second-round fixture at the Boland Landbou rugby fields outside Wellington.

Score

SA U18 52 (21) – Tries: Lamla Mgedezi (2), Jacobus de Villiers, Anesu Kuzonyei, Ncutu Kepe, Stefan van der Vyver, Luke Boyle, Thabiso Simelane. Conversions: Ethan van Biljon (4), Achmat Behardien.

France U18 7 (7) – Try: Luani Suta. Conversion: Jehlani Trillo.

Earlier, the SA U18 ‘A’ side scored a nail-biting 32-31 victory over Ireland in the first match of the 2026 Under-18 International Series staged at HS Durbanville, in Cape Town’s northern suburbs, on Friday.

The South Africans led 17-7 at the break after scoring two converted tries as well as penalty, while the Irish responded with a converted try.

The SA U18 ‘A’ side increased their lead after the break but Ireland hit back late and scored three tries in the second half, with hooker Herbie Doyle earning a brace. With minutes left on the clock, Ireland led by 29-28.

However, they failed to keep the determined SA U18 ‘A’ side at bay in the closing stages.

Despite failing with a long-range attempt, replacement flyhalf Travis Pheiffer slotted the match-winning penalty goal minutes later to clinch this exciting encounter by a single point in front of an appreciative crowd on a bright, sunny winters day.

Next up for the SA U18 ‘A’ side is a clash with Georgia U18 on Tuesday at Boland Landbou on the outskirts of Wellington.

Score

SA U18 ‘A’ 32 (17) – Tries: Charl Els, Werner de Bruin, Martin van Niekerk, Amogelang Mataboge. Conversions: Jaydon Viljoen (3). Penalties: Viljoen, Travis Pheiffer.

Ireland U18 31 (7) – Tries: Herbie Doyle (2), Micheal Smyth, Matthew McCarthy. Conversions: David Nolan (2), Luke Coffey (2). Penalty: Coffey.

SA U18 International Series fixtures

Tuesday, 11 August - Boland Landbou

11.30am: SA U18 'A' v Georgia

1.30pm: England v France

3.30pm: SA U18 v Ireland

Saturday, 15 August – Stellenberg High School

11.30am: SA U18 'A' v France

1.30pm: Ireland v Georgia

3.30pm: SA U18 v England