While they were much better than in the corresponding pool clash 10 days ago, the Junior Boks were again guilty of not using their opportunities, making mistakes at crucial times during the game, and taking wrong options.
Discipline was also a problem for the SA U20s, who showed greater enterprise in attack, with the drier conditions obviously helping their cause, but this was nullified by a struggling lineout.
The Junior Boks could only score one try in the first half despite enjoying more possession and territorial advantage. They looked sharp with ball in hand but failed to breach the Argentinians’ defence.
On the other hand, Argentina took their chances and scored three tries before the break, with the first – by Juan Greising Revol – coming from a Junior Bok mistake at a lineout, the second, by Efrain Elias, from some listless defence and the third, by Gregorio Perez Pardo, from good counter-attacking play.
It was 3-3 after 20 minutes, with Santino Di Lucca and Tylor Sefoor trading penalty goals, but seven minutes after the Junior Boks pulled level, Argentina led 17-3 as they scored two tries in quick succession.
The South Africans pulled one back, a stunning five-pointer from Jurenzo Julius who showed good footwork and pace after his forwards forced a turnover on the Argentinian 22, but 10 minutes later, the Pumitas’ 14-point lead was restored after the Junior Boks ran out of defenders out wide.
The SA U20s came out firing in the second half and scored their second try five minutes after the break following two strong lineout drives, with Sibabalwe Mahashe the finisher.
At 24-17, things looked much better for the Junior Boks, but, yet again, they failed to convert opportunities into points.
When Argentina sent on their reserves, the momentum swung back in their favour and when Timoteo Silva went over with just over 10 minutes left, the result was all but a done deal.
It could have been different, as moments before the Junior Boks were over the Argentinean tryline, but without referring it to the TMO, the referee judged the ball to have been held up.
When Silva went over, it looked from replays like his foot touched the line, but the evidence was not conclusive enough and the TMO ruled that the try must stand.
But, the Junior Boks only had themselves to blame, as they had a superb scoring opportunity not long thereafter, but from a clean break up the blindside, Asad Moos tried to chip over the head of the last defender instead of feeding the man on his inside for what would have been a certain try.
With seven minutes to go, Benjamin Elizalde kicked a penalty goal to make it 34-17, before Julius scored his second try, but it was too little, too late for the Junior Boks, who will play either Wales or Argentina in the final match of their campaign on Friday.
Scorers:
Junior Springboks 24 (10) – Tries: Jurenzo Julius (2), Sibabalwe Mahashe. Conversions: Tylor Sefoor (2), Phillip-Albert van Niekerk. Penalty goal: Sefoor
Argentina U20 34 (24) – Tries: Juan Greising Revol, Efrain Elias, Gregorio Perez Pardo, Timoteo Silva. Conversions: Santino Di Lucca (4). Penalty goals: Di Lucca, Benjamin Elizalde.
