South Africa U18 ran in six tries to claim a convincing victory over France U18 at Durbanville High School on Friday.

The home pack set the tone for the 43-21 victory, with a dominant scrum providing a platform for the backs to launch wave after wave of attack.

Flank Chinedu Amadi opened the scoring from a maul, before relentless defence kept France scoreless despite a sustained period in the South African half.

Even when prop Kai Pratt was yellow-carded, the hosts held firm, and No 8 Gert Kemp crashed over on their return to French territory.

Amadi’s second maul try and a penalty from flyhalf Liyema Nela pushed the lead to 24-0.

Captain Markus Muller then powered over just before the break, with Nela maintaining a perfect record off the tee for a 31-0 half-time advantage.

France struck early in the second half through No 8 Auguste Albuisson, but the South African Bomb Squad made an immediate impact, with hooker Jacobus de Villiers scoring from a driving maul after yet another scrum penalty.

Lock Christian Mendes Tani crossed for the visitors from a quick tap, but the hosts responded with a well-worked try for Junaide Stuart after patient phase play in the 22.

Mendes Tani’s second try late on reduced the deficit, but it was little more than consolation as SA U18’s power and accuracy proved decisive.

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Earlier in the day, an Irish penalty goal at the death broke the hearts of the SA U18 A team, as the visitors edged a thrilling opening match of the annual U18 International Series 36-33.

In a seesaw contest that produced five tries apiece, two late penalty goals from Ireland replacement scrumhalf Connor McVicker proved the difference in a dramatic finish.

Georgia U18 beat England U18 35-31 in the second game.

SA U18 43 (31) –Tries: Chinedu Amadi (2), Gert Kemp, Markus Muller, Jacobus de Villiers, Junaide Stuart. Conversions: Liyema Nela (4), Ruben Groenewald. Penalty: Nela.
FRANCE U18 21 (0) –Tries: Auguste Albuisson, Christian Mendes Tani (2). Conversions: Timeo Gillouin-Lemaire, Valentin Bouju (2).

SA U18 A 33 (26) –Tries: Jeffrey Singo, Reinhart Viljoen (2), Ncutu Kepe, Lizwe Mthethwa. Conversions: Jeandre Uithaler (4). Penalty: Uithaler.
IRELAND 36 (19) –Tries: Lee Fitzpatrick (2), Bernard White (2), Alex Lautsou. Conversions: Luke Coffey (2), Connor McVicker (2). Penalties: McVicker (2).

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images