The Junior Boks can take heart from the fact that they fought back from a 17-point deficit – and secured a four-try bonus point in the process, and while they didn’t do enough to win the game, they remained in contention for the semi-finals.

The wet and heavy underfoot conditions at the Paarl Gymnasium sport fields proved a challenge for both sets of players. The Junior Boks were dealt a couple of early setbacks, with halfbacks Neil le Roux and Sam Francis forced to leave the field with serious injuries before half-time.

Prop Mawande Mdanda received a yellow card for a cynical offence in the 10th minute, and Italy were awarded a penalty try. The Italians made their one-man advantage count, adding a further try through hooker Nicholas Gasperini, as well as a conversion and a penalty goal through Simone Brisighella.

The hosts rallied as half-time approached. The decision to turn down a shot at goal was vindicated when centre Katlego Letebele crashed over the tryline in the 31st minute.

Another powerful maul set the platform for South Africa’s second try. Replacement scrumhalf Imad Khan found Jurenzo Julius with a pinpoint cross kick, and the winger did well to field the ball in the driving rain. Khan’s conversion reduced the deficit to five points.

Italy struck first in the second stanza to regain control of the contest. Replacement prop Marcos Francesco Gallorini powered through the defence, and Brisighella’s conversion took the Azzurri 12 points clear. Moments later, another surge by Gallorini resulted in Italy’s fourth try.

Just as it appeared as if the game might slip away from the hosts, centre Damian Markus ran the length of the field to score a morale-boosting try. A boisterous local crowd rose as one to celebrate the incredible effort.

Damian Markus on his way to the Italian tryline.

The crowd was on its feet again in the 61st minute, after hooker Juann Else broke through the Italian defence to score his side’s fourth try. Khan’s conversion reduced the deficit to five points.

Italy had the final say, though, with replacement Giovanni Sante kicking a late penalty goal to secure the result for his side.

The Junior Boks will face Argentina in their final pool fixture at Athlone Stadium on 4 July.

Scorers:

Junior Boks 26 (12) - Tries: Katlego Letebele, Jurenzo Julius, Damian Markus, Juann Else. Conversions: Imad Khan (3).

Italy U20 34 (17) - Tries: Penalty try, Nicholas Gasperini, Marcos Francesco Gallorini (2). Conversions: Simone Brisighella (3). Penalty goals: Brisighella, Giovanni Sante.