Maties help Junior Boks into semi’s

Maties prop Steven Kitshoff on the rampage against England (photo: Anton Jordaan, SCPS)

Prop Steven Kitshoff and wing Patrick Howard – both Maties – helped the Junior Springboks reach the semi-finals of the IRB Junior World Championships when the team defeated England 28-15 at Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday, 12 June 2012.

A third Matie, Tshotsho Mbovane, was an unused substitute, and a fourth – Dean Hammond – is also part of the playing squad.

Needing a bonus point win in their final pool encounter, the Junior Springboks came back from being 3-0 down at half time, and ran in four converted tries in the second half. The match was originally scheduled to be played at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, but as a result of torrential rain during the first week of the tournament it was decided to move the matches scheduled for Stellenbosch to Cape Town.

The team will now face surprise package Argentina in the second semi-final, while New Zealand will take on Wales in the first. Both matches will be played at Newlands Rugby Stadium on Sunday, 17 June 2012.

• More information: www.irb.com/jwc