The SA U18 A side finished their 2026 U18 International Series campaign unbeaten after producing their best performance of the tournament with a 51-26 victory over France U18 at Stellenberg High School in Cape Town on Saturday.
The hosts led 27-21 at halftime and, after weathering a brief French resurgence, pulled away in the second half to secure a comprehensive and deserved win.
The result ensured the SA U18 A team finished the series with a perfect record, following earlier victories over Ireland and Georgia.
Flyhalf Jaydon Viljoen was the standout performer for the South Africans, contributing 21 points through a try, five conversions, a penalty goal, and a drop goal.
The entertaining first half yielded three tries apiece, with both teams making full use of their scoring opportunities.
The home side surged into a commanding 21-0 lead midway through the opening stanza through tries by Linakho Mehlomakulu, Max Malan, and Lucritia Magau, all converted by Viljoen.
France responded impressively and wrestled back momentum with three converted tries of their own. Philippe Roudaut, Sacha Codorniou, and Arthur Noel crossed the whitewash, while Jehlani Trillon added the extras to keep the visitors firmly in contention.
A long-range penalty goal and well-taken drop goal by Viljoen helped South Africa maintain their advantage, taking a six-point lead into the halftime interval.
The break came at the ideal time for the hosts, halting the French momentum and allowing SA u18 A to regroup. They emerged for the second half with renewed energy and quickly struck through two superb long-range tries.
Viljoen was the first to score before replacement Thomas Saunders finished off another attacking move from distance. Viljoen converted both tries to extend the lead to 41-21.
SA U18 A continued to apply pressure and was rewarded when Rufagon Hendricks sprinted clear to score in the right-hand corner, stretching the advantage to 46-21 with 10 minutes remaining.
France managed a consolation try shortly before the end of the match, but South Africa had the final say when Ruan Genis crossed for the hosts’ seventh try of the match, sealing an emphatic 51-26 victory.
Scorers:
SA U18 A – Tries: Linakho Mehlomakulu, Max Malan, Lucritia Magau, Jaydon Viljoen, Thomas Saunders, Rufagon Hendricks, Ruan Genis. Conversions: Viljoen (5). Penalty goal: Viljoen. Drop goal: Viljoen.
France U18 – Tries: Philippe Roudaut, Sacha Codorniou, Arthur Noel, Aubin Richerol. Conversions: Jehlani Trillon (3).
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
