Australia U20s deliver epic comeback to down hosts South Africa at Rugby Championship U20s

Australia U20s have shocked hosts South Africa with a second half comeback for a famous 29-24 win at the Rugby Championship U20s in Gqeberha.

Chris Whitaker’s side showed remarkable courage to defy a first half yellow card and a 17-0 deficit to claw their way back into the game for the win.

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The Aussies' fitness proved the difference in the second half as they ran the hosts all over the park.

Twenty-nine unanswered points stormed Australia back into the contest and into the lead, and the team held on despite a late South Africa charge.

"The coaches reinforced our team identity, building pride for family back home, our friends and for ourselves," captain Eamon Doyle said post-match.

"First half we had a few back-rowers down injured, but the good thing is we might not be the biggest forward pack, but we're very versatile. The boys can play second-row and back-row, so we had a lot of depth in that area, which really helped."

The South Africans started fast as flanker Xola Nyali scored from a rolling maul in the opening three minutes. The Aussies rallied for a response but the hosts’ scrum proved a major weapon throughout the game.

It led to a tense first half as both sides entered their respective 22s with little way through the brutal defence. All it took was one loose pass from the visitors and South Africa capitalised, with winger Siya Ndlozi scooping it up and racing away for the try.

Eventually, the scrum pressure from the South Africans proved too much for the referee, who surprisingly yellow-carded Trevor King late in the first half.

Chris Whitaker’s side also lost Luca Cleverley and Malakye Enasio early in the first half, leaving them chasing the game down 17-0 just after half-time after Nyali’s second rolling maul try was ruled out by obstruction.

Captain Eamon Doyle began the comeback and got Australia on the board in the 46th minute after crashing over from their own rolling maul.

Sid Harvey tried to spark them again after turning a spilled mark into a spectacular chase and turnover inside the 22.

Whilst they didn’t score off that 22m entry, their next proved crucial as prop Edwin Langi powered over from short to reduce the margin to three.

Suddenly, the Australians were full of confidence and running, with several Junior Springboks comparatively out of energy and suffering from cramps.

Replacement hooker Lipina Ata capitalised on excellent work from Doyle and Beau Morrison to give Australia the lead with 18 minutes to go.

Nick Conway almost stole a try for the Aussies after a turnover from James Martens but was bundled into touch by an unreal try-saving tackle.

However, Conway turned provider as another break put the winger into space, popping it up for centre Xavier Rubins to score, who set up the initial opportunity.

Sid Harvey’s penalty with five minutes to go for a clear shoulder charge to the head, only given a penalty, looked to have Australia home before a late Bathobele Hlekani try set up a tense finish.

As time expired, Australia pulled off the crucial turnover to dislodge the ball and seal a famous win.

The victory lifts Australia into second in the competition, a point behind New Zealand after their thumping win over Argentina.

The Aussies will conclude the tournament against Argentina, needing victory and a Kiwi defeat to the Junior Springboks (without the hosts getting a bonus point or the required points difference) to take out the title.

Australia U20 29 (Doyle, Ed. Langi, Ata, Rubens tries; Harvey 3 cons; Harvey pen) def South Africa U20 24 (Nyali, Ndlozi, Nlekani tries; Moyo 2, Smith cons; Moyo pen)