Things were understandably scrappy in what was essentially the first steps for the Junior Boks’ “Class of 2026”, as the players didn’t have a lot of time together, coming off a short break after the provincial age-group competitions had ended.

A light rain shower early on meant the playing surface and the ball were slippery, and it looked like this caused the South Africans more problems, but they were also guilty of not using their opportunities.

Although the two sides - who had an opposed training session earlier in the week - were keen to give the ball air, a slew of handling errors due to the greasy ball meant it was a stop-start affair, while both teams’ set pieces were also indifferent.

The South Africans grew in confidence at scrum time, but conceded silly penalties when they were hot on the attack in the French 22 – twice for obstruction at lineout drives close to the tryline – and at the breakdowns.

The opening try went to Siphosethu Mnebelele in the 15^th minute, from a well-executed lineout maul, and Vusi Moyo’s conversion gave the visitors a 7-0 lead after their first foray into the French 22.

Five minutes later, France made it 7-7 when Luka Keletaona converted a maul try by Edouard Jabea Njocke. The hosts conceded a yellow card late in the half, but from the ensuing drive, the SA U19s were penalised for double-banking.

France started the second half with a spring in their step and five minutes after the restart, Keletaona pushed them into the lead with a penalty goal.

They kept the pressure up and pinned the SA U19s in their own half, and the wall finally broke when Lindsey Jansen was sin-binned for illegal play, after which the French used the numerical advantage with Quentin Valentino crashing over for their second try.

Keletaona, who had spent 10 minutes in the bin for an illegal tackle, converted to give the hosts a 10-point lead and although the South Africans kept on pushing, their error count kept on mounting.

South Africa finally got back into an attacking position and when France was shown another yellow card for a maul infringement, the visitors made the next drive count with Kebotile Maake going over.

Luan Giliomee’s conversion attempt went wide making it a five-point game with 10 minutes left on the clock, but a few minutes later Keletaona sealed the game for the hosts with his second penalty goal after yet another breakdown infringement by the SA U19s.

Scorers:

France U19 20 (7) – Tries: Edouard Jabea Njocke, Quentin Valentino. Conversions: Luka Keletaona (2). Penalty goals: Keletaona (2).

SA U19 Academy 12 (7) – Tries: Siphosethu Mnebelele, Kebotile Maake. Conversion: Vusi Moyo.