WATCH: South Africa end Irish hopes at U20 World Cup

South Africa 30 Ireland 17

Ireland U20s World Cup ambitions have ended as South Africa emerged victorious by 30-17 in their pool game in Narbonne this afternoon.

Two defeats from two games means Ireland will now face Georgia in their last pool game knowing a mid-tournament finish is the best they can achieve from this point.

Ireland endured a really poor start with scrum-half Jonny Stewart having a clearance blocked down by his opposite number Zak Burger to score inside the opening minute with out-half Damian Wilemse converting.

The South Africans looked to have the edge in the scrum forcing two penalties in quick succession as thy looked to assert their dominance. Both sides spurned chances from close range attacking line-outs but it was the Boks would extend their lead when winger Muller de Plessis was put through for a fine try which went unconverted.

12-0 down, Ireland responded through Conor Dean penalty from 40 metres after 23 minutes. Ireland were starting to get some satisfaction though their set-piece. With their scrum now steadier, captain Caelan Doris peeled away to score five minutes from the break.

Dean added the extras as Ireland trailed by 12-1o. Ireland looked to have taken the lead but the TMO chalked off Tom Roche’s effort after he was adjudged to have knocked on in the process of grounding the ball. Ireland would head in at the break trailing by 12-10.

After the break Ireland had a man advantage after replacement lock PJ Steenkamp was binned. Noel McNamara’s side capitalised as the superb Doris put Michael Sylvester through the defensive line.

The full-back stepped inside and dotted down under the post. Dean converted and Ireland now led 17-12 after 45 minutes.

It spurred the South Africans into action as centre Wandisile crossed for a try and added his second on the hour mark to extend South Africa’s lead to 22-17.

With out-half Willemse off injured, Lombard added a routine penalty from dead in front of the posts to extend the gap to 8 before Wandisile completed his hat-trick three minutes from the end.

South Africa: Gianni Lombard; Tyrone Green, Wandisile Simelane, Lyle Hendricks, Muller du Plessis (Lubabalo Dobela 41); Damian Willemse (Manny Rass 48), Zak Burger; Nathan McBeth (Alulutho Tshakweni 62), Dan Jooste (Schalk Erasmus 26), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Sazi Sandi 62); Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje (PJ Steenkamp 28-50 blood, Ruan Vermaak 72); Dian Schoonees, Ben-Jason Dixon (Steenkamp 63), Muller Uys.

Ireland: Michael Silvester (Leinster) (James McCarthy (Munster 66); Tom Roche (Leinster), Tommy O’Brien (Leinster), James Hume (Ulster), Sean O’Brien (Leinster); Conor Dean (Leinster) (Harry Byrne (Leinster 69), Jonny Stewart (Ulster) (Hugh O’Sullivan (Leinster 58); Jordan Duggan (Leinster) (Bryan O’Connor (Munster 69), Diarmuid Barron (Munster) (Dan Sheehan (Leinster 64), Jack Aungier (Leinster) (Joe Byrne (Leinster 58),; Cormac Daly (Leinster), Jack Dunne (Leinster); Joe Dunleavy (Ulster) (Aaron Hall (Ulster 54), Matthew Agnew (Ulster), Caelan Doris (Leinster).

Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia).

Scorers for South Africa:

Tries: Simelane (3), Burger, de Plessis

Conversions: Willemse

Penalties: Gianni Lombard

Scorers for Ireland:

Tries: Caelan Doris, Michael Sylvester

Conversions: Conor Dean (2)

Penalties: Dean