Junior Boks Thrive In Fiery Tbilisi Opener Despite Second Half Stumbles

The Junior Springboks kicked off their 2026 season in the icy chill of Tbilisi and delivered a warm reminder of their pedigree, hammering Georgia 35 0 on Sunday in an opening international that felt equal parts statement and study session.

While the scoreboard paints a picture of total dominance, the match told a more layered story of early brilliance, second half frustration and valuable lessons as the team builds toward the Junior World Championship.

Fast Start Stuns Georgia

There is something uniquely South African about arriving in hostile territory and immediately dictating terms. From the moment the whistle blew at Avchala Stadium, the Junior Boks looked switched on, playing with tempo, clarity and accuracy.

Scrumhalf Hendre Schoeman sparked the early surge with the first try before the pack took control. Danie Kruger, Liam van Wyk, Kebotile Maake and Gert Kemp all crossed in quick succession, while fly half Yaqeen Ahmed’s perfect kicking lifted the visitors to an imposing 35 0 lead by halftime.

It was ruthless, clinical rugby, the kind that silences a home crowd long before the match settles.

Head coach Kevin Foote described the explosive start as exactly what the team needed.

“It was a great hit out for us, especially being able to use the stadium and facilities where we’ll play our Junior World Championship matches later this year,” he said.

There was, however, a hint of early disjointedness as the Junior Boks conceded several penalties in the opening minutes. Foote was quick to applaud his players for steadying themselves and maintaining composure under pressure.

A Tale Of Two Halves

If the first half was a bold audition for the world stage, the second was more of a gritty workshop.

Foote made the unusual but deliberate choice to change his entire team at halftime. It was a chance to give every squad member real minutes and test depth, especially this early in the season.

But the shift in cohesion was clear. Handling errors crept in, the penalty count ballooned, and Georgia backed by a physical fan base and the growing confidence of a side with nothing to lose pushed back hard.

The Junior Boks no longer controlled the pace or the flow, yet their goal line remained intact. Their defence became the headline of the half.

“The guys were resilient, and even though we didn’t score, we kept them out despite the many penalties and turnovers. There was a lot of courage in our defence,” Foote noted.

Shutting out any international opponent for 80 minutes, especially away from home, is no small feat.

Why This Match Matters Ahead Of The Junior World Championship

South African rugby fans will remember the last time the Junior Boks played in Georgia: a notoriously tough, physical encounter that prepared the squad for a strong showing at global level. This matchup carried the same energy.

Playing in Tbilisi, in the same venue that will host the Junior World Championship later this year, offers huge advantages. The players become familiar with the travel, the conditions, the stadium setup and even the atmosphere.

Foote described the outing as a necessary part of building a complete campaign rather than chasing scoreboard perfection.

“We learnt some good lessons from both halves, and we’ll build on them going into next week’s Test,” he said.

With another clash against Georgia coming on Friday, the Junior Boks now have the chance to refine their discipline, sharpen their handling and sustain momentum over two full halves.

A Solid Start With Homework Attached

A 35 0 victory on foreign soil is never anything but impressive. Yet the most encouraging part of this performance may not be the scoreline, but the honesty in the shortcomings.

The Junior Boks showed they can dominate, but they also showed they can suffer through pressure without breaking. For a young team preparing for a global tournament, that combination is pure gold.

Friday’s rematch in Tbilisi will reveal how quickly they can turn lessons into evolution and whether that blistering first half can become the standard rather than the spark.

{Source:SABC Sport}

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