The USA U20 women won convincingly over the South African U20s 60-17 Friday in Stellenbosch, RSA to return from that tour 2-0.
This match culminated a short tour of the African nation, which included a warmup match (won by the USA 47-12) before what was generally considered the major international.
South Africa actually had the run over play early, pressuring the USA line and eventually taking a shot at a penalty goal (which they missed). But USA indiscipline remained and the Springboks punished another penalty to maul over for hooker Jada Davids to score.
The Junior Eagles responded at about 10 minutes. They ran the ball wide, won quick ball and went back to the middle where flyhalf Bella Vogel sold an outrageous dummy and sped in to score. Annie Henrich converted for a 7-5 lead.
The USA forced a knock-on from a deep kick, attacked via center Arielle Fotso off the scrum, and with quick recycle Vogel drew some attention before sending it wide for Kiyanah Edwards to score on the wing.
Down 12-5 South Africa put the USA under pressure again, but a lineout overthrow led to Vogel sending the ball wide from her own 22.
Center Gianna Veetutu passed off to Sana'a Lunon, who popped it back inside toe Veetutu, and she took off. Dragged down just inside the South African 22, Veetutu kept the ball alive but the young Springboks held on.
Still, from a scrum, No. 8 Maddie Hubbell picked up and charged on, and after a few phases it was Hubbell who crashed through to score.
A brilliant run and offload back inside from Lunon fed her Harvard teammate Hubbell for another try. With Henrich's conversion it was 24-5
A much better sequence for South Africa took them down to the USA line, and from a scrum No. 8 Palesa Matee was over. Back came the Junior Eagles and Hubbell burst onto a snappy pass from Fotso and she thundered through from 22 meters.
As the first half ticked away South Africa almost scored, only for flanker Gemma Ogoke to hold the ball up in an excellent tackle. The USA then had a chance with a dropped ball that was kicked ahead. Two USA players were impeded as they chase the ball, but so they didn't score, but they did get the penalty.
And then after South Africa kicked clear, Vogel dunked a beautiful kick for Edwards to chase down, but the wing couldn't quite get the handle.
The half ended with the USA being held up, and it was 31-10 at the break.
