Under-21s Lose Lead Against South Africa

Mark McDermott’s Ireland side will face Canada in the 9th-12th place play-offs in Mendoza on Tuesday, after losing their final Under-21 World Cup pool game 42-25 to South Africa on Friday night.

IRB UNDER-21 WORLD CUP: Friday, June 17
Ireland U-21 25 South Africa U-21 42, Liceo RC, Mendoza
Scorers: Ireland: Try: Stephen Ferris; Con: Gareth Steenson; Pens: Steenson 6
South Africa: Tries: Morne Steyn, Derick Kuun 2, Pieter Louw, Harry Vermaas; Cons: Steyn 4; Pens: Steyn 2; Drop: Steyn

Irish captain Gareth Steenson kicked six penalties in the first half to steer his side to an 18-13 half-time lead.

The second half saw Dungannon number 8 Stephen Ferris net Ireland’s only try of the evening and though it pushed them into a 25-20 advantage, the Baby ‘Boks gradually took over.

Three unanswered tries in the final 20 minutes saw any Irish hopes of making the semi-finals dashed.

Skipper Steenson said: “I’m very proud of what we did today, especially in the forwards and the way we played in the first half. We did everything we could to try and get through, and will have to lift ourselves again against Canada.”

Irish coach Mark McDermott added: “The scoreline was wider than the actual game suggested it should be, in truth. We were happy with our performance, but for the next game, we need to cut down on the error count.”

IRELAND UNDER-21:

(15) Ross McCarron (UCD)
(14) Paul Hurley (UCC)
(13) Andrew Trimble (Ballymena)
(12) Greg Stafford (Lansdowne)
(11) Paul McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins)
(10) Gareth Steenson (Dungannon) (Capt)
(9) Cillian Willis (UCD)
(1) Gary Maxwell (Dungannon)
(2) Stuart Philpott (Saracens)
(3) John Andress (Belfast Harlequins)
(4) Ross Noonan (UCC)
(5) Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon)
(6) Kevin McLaughlin (UCD)
(7) Chris Henry (Malone)
(8) Stephen Ferris (Dungannon)

Replacements used: Joseph Merrigan (Corinthians) for Philpott, Ronan Loughney (Galwegians) for Andress (both 61 mins), Gerry Hurley (Garryowen) for Willis (66), Anthony Kavanagh (Garryowen) for Ferris (70), Daniel Riordan (Corinthians) for McKenzie (75), Jonathan Sexton (St Mary’s College) for Steenson (79). Not used: Trevor Richardson (Buccaneers).

Coach: Mark McDermott
Assistant Coach: Niall Malone
Manager: David Haslett

SOUTH AFRICA U-21: Hennie Daniller; Cedric Mkhize, Ronnie Cooke, Earl Rose, Luvo Sogisdashe; Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Heinke van der Merwe, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Sangoni Moxoli, Nicolai Blignaut, Cliff Milton, Derek Kuun (Capt), Davon Raubenheimer, Pieter Louw.

Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Harry Vermaas, Gerhard Mostert, Hilton Lobberts, Paul Delport, Thabang Molefe, Mzwandile Stick.

Sin-bins: Ireland: Kevin McLaughlin (25 mins), Ryan Caldwell (42). South Africa: Derick Kuun (30).
HT: Ireland 18 South Africa 13
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)