South Africa U20's star backline blitz Argentina early to secure opening win

South Africa started their 2026 Rugby Championship U20 campaign with a bang in Gqeberha, piling on nearly 50 points before Argentina found a way to respond in the second half.

It was a rapid start from the hosts, whose backline picked apart the Argentinian defence with professional execution. The Junior Boks’ discipline let them down at times, and the visitors’ bench made a big impact, though it was too little, too late, with a final score of 48-21.

It took just 40 seconds for South Africa to make their first line break of the game, with Yaqeen Ahmed darting through a gap. Ethan Adams made his presence felt one minute later, breaking seven tackles on a 30-metre run to the line for the first points of the game.

A South African knock-on off the restart gave the Pumas an attacking opportunity inside the hosts’ 22, but the ensuing phases only saw the Pumitas pushed backwards by strong South African defence. An Argentinian knock-on was followed by a South African scrum penalty, a well-taken lineout, and another Adams carry, all combining to get the South Africans back into the Argentine 22. Just a few minutes later, Hendré Schoeman saw some chalk beside the ruck and got the ball on the line for his side’s second try.

It was another scrum penalty that handed South Africa their next chance to attack, with Ahmed again darting through a gap, and this time the fly-half had the footwork to finish. The youngster’s conversion put his team up 19-0 after 17 minutes.

A lineout steal less than a minute after play resumed had South Africa on the attack once more, with the ball sent to the opposite wing, where Lindsey Jansen made his way into the 22 before being cut down. There were just two carries in tight before Ahmed sent the cross-field kick to Jack Benade’s wing, with the flyer collecting the kick and running in another try.

South Africa were unable to claim possession again on the ensuing restart, and a penalty shortly after had Argentina attacking from as close to the try line as they had been in the match. However, a breakdown penalty won by the hosts ended that attack.

With their next lineout from just inside Argentina’s half, South Africa went back to Adams for the first carry, and it would again be the only carry, as the No.12 darted inside two defenders and shrugged off a third to break clear and score his second. That effort made the score 31-0 after just 26 minutes.

Argentina won the ball back once more with their kick-off but were again met by surging South African defence, with several tackles driving ball-carriers back towards Argentina’s own goal line. However, the hosts were again penalised and forced to defend on their line. Argentina’s driving maul struggled to move forward, and the attack ended with a penalty to South Africa.

Samuel Badenhorst was the next to generate momentum for South Africa, and a rampaging carry from Kebotile Maake continued the onslaught. A chip through by Alzeadon Felix was then collected by Benade, who scored his second.

Both teams had opportunities in the dying moments of the first half, but failed to execute, leaving the scoreline at 36-0.

Benade collected the kick-off to start the second half and immediately beat four defenders, running the ball back into the Argentinian half. Argentina’s ability to retain the ball improved in the second half, but consecutive lineout misthrows ended some early opportunities to build momentum.

It was a kick to touch that stayed in the field of play that ignited the next South African attack, with an offload from Jansen getting the team within metres of the try line. A long ball from Schoeman found reserve prop Oliver Reid, who was fresh onto the field, and the big man rumbled over to extend his side’s lead to 43-0.

Benade completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute after wide play saw South Africa burn through 60 metres without needing to kick.

South Africa threatened again with some more clinical attack, but didn’t have the polish to come away with more points, and were instead marched back into their own half as a result of more penalties.

The pressure Argentina applied was finally rewarded in the 62nd minute, when Federico Torre rolled over the line from close-range.

The Argentine attack was more energised and consistent in the final quarter, and while one chance went begging due to a knock-on, another was well finished by captain Tomás Dande.

A Springbok obstruction was penalised just short of full-time, and the footwork of Constantino Keller helped Argentina get back in scoring territory shortly after. Just 22 seconds remained on the clock when Torre snuck the ball onto the line right under the South African defence’s nose, having the final say of the match.