It was all on the line for the four heavyweights in the final round of action on the Sunshine Coast, and while South Africa looked for their first win in the competition, Argentina stood a perilous chance of lifting the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship. booty.
The sun finally came out in the third round and fans packed the banks in what could be a ferocious back-and-forth that was only decided in the dying moments.
South Africa came out strong, and it only took 45 seconds for midfielder Julius “The Boogeyman” Gorenzo to break through four defenders and score the first try of the match. Philip Albert van Niekerk added the extras.
Facundo Rodriguez had a chance to put his team into the net in the 12th minute, but his penalty kick went wide to the left. Rodriguez quickly looked to get back on the board with a drop goal, but that effort went wide.
A break from Juan Pinocos saw Argentina sent off, and the South American's combination of skills saw Franco Rossetto make his first try of the afternoon. It was the third time the charm for Rodriguez when he botched the conversion.
With the score standing, South Africa's Ezekiel Ngubane received a yellow card, meaning the team would be absent from the midfield for 10 minutes.
It only took Argentina a minute to punish their opponents, as Timoteo Silva made the break and Rossetto ran to the penalty spot to notch his second try of the match.
The first half ended with the powerful Argentine striker back in action again and crossing the chalk once again with his powerful strike. It was winger Rossetto who came out with the ball, completing a hat-trick in the first half. Facundo Rodriguez notched his second conversion of the afternoon from the sideline. First half score: 21-7.
South Africa were first on the field in the second half, with an opportunistic pass from No. 8 Tian Jacobs catching the Argentine by surprise and allowing him to push through the gap to find the line.
The free kick was a huge battle, with the shootout going both ways, and a lot of emotion was expressed with every whistle.
The stage play was no less physical, with South Africa managing to build a lead for periods, but dominant Argentine intervention would stop that momentum on a dime. Discipline will let Argentina down but their squad performed excellently with their backs against the wall.
The South Africans began to flex their muscles on the hour mark, winning a penalty kick after Argentina fired just 10 meters from the goal line. The play consisted of a slam dunk that ended a strong passing offense.
Back-up prop Casper Badenhorst finished off the effort, but Van Niekerk's missed conversion left Argentina two points ahead.
Shortly after the attempt, South Africa caught Argentina upright and were awarded a penalty. But this time Argentina got the ball back from a penalty kick. Back-up flyhalf Santino De Luca stepped up for the penalty but was unable to extend his side's lead.
Gael Galván then paid the price for Argentina's repeated poor discipline, the prop receiving a yellow card and Van Niekerk putting his side ahead by a single point from the penalty spot.
A massive clearance and a strong pursuit from South Africa put Argentina under even more pressure, and when they were awarded another penalty, the team opted to pass the ball and go, which captain Zachary Borthen converted and scored. A failed conversion kept the lead at six with 10 minutes remaining.
The drama had only just begun, as Argentina launched a desperate attack and Franco Rossetto completed it in the corner; The winger's fourth attempt in the match. The conversion from the sideline would be crucial and Di Luca was up to the challenge, giving his side a 28-27 lead.
A South African rally in the 22nd minute to Argentina in the 79th minute set up a dramatic final stand, and while South Africa were eventually held back over the goal line, play was called back for a penalty right in front of the posts and Philip Albert van Niekerk stepped up for the match-winning kick. Full-time score: 28-30.
