Sunday, 22nd April 2007 at 3:52 pm

Just too much for Baby Boks

One game too far, in the end - but considering the rockey start to the tournament (the loss to France), the Baby Boks can be fairly happy with their performance in Belfast at the Under-19 World Championship, disappointment of the final notwithstanding. The 31-7 defeat to New Zealand reflected the strength of the unending Kiwi production line - not something to cheer the South African supporter - but making the championship game is an achievement worth celebrating.

And while the Baby Blacks were worthy winners, there was plenty of solace to take from the semifinal in particular - an impressive win over Australia - and some young individual talent that may well muscle in on the fringes of the Currie Cup later this year. Winning the whole thing would have been ideal, certainly, but making the final is evidence enough that junior rugby in South Africa’s still going pretty strong.