Australia versus South Africa: U-20 Rugby World Cup preview

This week, the best young rugby players from Australia will play against the best young rugby players from South Africa in the Italian town of Calvisano.

This is a decisive Pool B match in the Under-20 World Cup.

The Junior Springboks have beaten the hosts Italy and Samoa, with bonus-points for four tries. They have won using a powerful pack and speedy backs.

The winner will automatically qualify for the semifinals on 15 June.

Coach Dawie Theron makes no secret of what the Baby Boks will bring: “We know we have a strong pack of forwards this year.”

He gave the young Australians credit, saying “they are a well-organised team and that match will tough.”

Indeed, Australia looked slick in thrashing Italy 31-15 over the weekend and pose the biggest threat thus far to the big and physical Boks.

Captain Hanro Liebenberg, who has been impressive at No 8, estimates his team has only reached about 70 per cent effectiveness thus far. “Australia is a quality side and will definitely pose a different challenge compared to Samoa or Italy. Our forwards will have to stamp their authority on the match.”

He sees this as a “knock-out match,” a “must win game,” because the two sides are only separated by South Africa’s superior points differential.

Their win over Samoa was based on a dominant set piece and maul. Thomas du Toit, the tighthead tank from the Sharks, was a wrecking ball. The Samoan lineout was left in tatters, as was their scrum, which conceded a penalty try.

Meanwhile, the Australian Under-20 pack were able to get over a tough Italian forward unit, to allow their dangerous backs momentum. Aussie head coach Adrian Thompson was pleased, but noted “we again had a slow start to the match that could have proved costly and this is part of a few areas we will need to improve on before we face South Africa.”

He is probably referring to an intercept try conceded against the run of play to allow Italy to go up 8-0. Ironically, South Africa suffered the same slow start against the hosts, giving up the softest of breakaway tries.

The score actually flattered Italy, who had the early interception and a try at the death.

Unlike the Baby Boks, the Junior Wallabies play a 15-man linking game. Cameron Orr might be the fastest prop in the tournament. Their dangermen at the back include Jonah Placid (he is anything but placid) and Andrew Kellaway. But they bring an effective Brumbies-style maul.

Whose maul will prevail? Will Aussie-style full-court attack prevail? Or will the giant Baby Bok pack steamroll the boys from Down Under?