Wednesday, 18th April 2007 at 6:48 pm

SA under-19 one win away

When they lost to France ( a defeat that got cursory attention, given the Super 14/World Cup/Shosholoza focus), the under-19 side South Africa had sent to the World Championship in Belfast looked set for an early return. But the loss to the French spurred on a side more talented than we initially realised, and so know we sit one game away from a title that just a fortnight ago looked completely out of the question.

In recent years, we’ve looked to the under-19 and under-21 sides for a shred of salvation on the back of a dismal Super 14/Springbok season; for a change, the result will be a bonus, rather than the definitive moment of the rugby year, thanks to a Sharks/Bulls inspired Super 14 that we’re able to watch without strong medication.

That said, watching one of our young sides triumph at international level is always a substantial boost for the future of the game - and depending on how the cricket goes against Australia, we may need the solace of an under-19 title come the weekend. The good news? On the evidence of the Australia win, walking away with the trophy is well within their grasp. All eyes on Belfast, then.