Australia's World U20 Championship campaign has been rocked by a heavy 73-17 defeat to South Africa in their opening game in Italy.
Chris Whitaker's side went into the match with confidence after their win in May during the U20 Rugby Championship.
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However, the Aussies found themselves struggling to stop a lightning-fast South African attack that was dominant from start to finish.
The Junior Boks went 80 metres for the opener try as scrumhalf Haashim Pead finished off the sensational break from Siphosethu Mnebelele after the Aussies nearly created their own chance with their pressure.
But the Aussies answered back in the 12th minute when fullback Sid Harvey sprinted away from the chasing defence to touch down.
Desperate defence stopped several responses from South Africa as the sweltering conditions opened the game for both sides to play attacking Rugby.
South Africa eventually found the line through Herman Lubbe for a 14-5 lead as their pressure started to create opportunities.
Siya Ndlozi extended the lead with two tries late in the first half, using his pace to give the Junior Boks a sizeable 33-5 advantage at the break.
Australia were desperate for a fast start to the second half, only for Pead to dive over for his second to put the game well out of reach.
Gilermo Mentoe’s try summed up the tough afternoon for the Aussies, intercepting a break started from Joey Fowler to race 75 metres for a sudden 14-point swing.
Two further tries brought up the half century before the 50-minute mark, with South Africa continuing to pile on the points.
Cooper Watters got a late consolation double for the Aussies, who turn their attention to Scotland on Friday.
South Africa U20 73 (Ndlozi 2, Pead 2, Mentoe, Jooste, Theron, Lubbe, Grobbelaar, Nyali, Williams tries; Simphiwe Moyo 7, van der Merwe 2 cons) def Australia U20 17 (Harvey, Watters 2 tries; Harvey con)
