Defense and attitude won the day says Theron
South Africa U20 squad captain, Wiaan Liebenberg showing some battle wounds after a tough match against the Pumitas of Argentina. Photo by Morgan Piek /Rugby15.
Junior Boks Head coach Dawie Theron lauded his team’s defence and ability to adapt to the conditions as they reached the final of the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 by beating Argentina 35-3 on Sunday.
The Junior Boks scored four tries in this semi-finals match at DHL Newlands, three of them in a commanding first half, where the team executed well on the drive, from turn-over ball and benefitted from some great running lines by replacement-winger Raymond Rhule.
The Toyota Free State winger replaced Paul Jordaan early in the match after the Sharks player injured a hamstring and scored two great tries.
“Raymond played a great match and I am very happy for him, as he stayed positive at a time when he was not picked. He ran some great lines and the team found the balance between attack and kick. In the second half, when the rain came down, we reverted to a kicking game and again, it worked well for us.”
Theron highlighted the defensive effort.
“We again did not concede a try, even though Argentina hammered at our line. It was a massive effort by the team to keep them scoreless and I am very proud of the effort.”
There are some injury concerns, with Jordaan the obvious casualty, but Theron reserved judgment on that.
“We will only have a full report on the injury situation tomorrow, but I am confident that we will have a full complement of players.”
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