Scotland U20 0 - 73 South Africa U20: Scots stunned by thumping Bok defeat

SCOTLAND were left psychologically and physically battered after losing heavily to South Africa in the second round of the IRB World Under-20 Championship at Estadio CA Colon in Santa Fe, Argentina and have only three days to regroup before facing Tonga in their final pool match on Sunday.

The result was not unexpected, nor the size of the defeat. The Scots lost 58-13 to Australia in the opening round last Saturday and, with South Africa seeded above the Junior Wallabies, a big win for the Baby Boks was anticipated.

Scotland Under-20 head coach Eamon John described the contest as "men against boys", adding: "It was really tough out there. We were simply blown away by a side that had momentum throughout the match. Physically we struggled. When we tried to hold on to ball they simply ripped it away from us.

"People back home don't realise that there is a massive gulf between us and the southern hemisphere countries at this level. We now have a real problem with the players. They're shell-shocked. Psychologically it's been very difficult because we've never at any time played back to back matches against two of the top four southern hemisphere countries."

The Scots rarely obtained good ball and when they did try to attack were quickly gunned down by a fast and aggressive South Africa defence. Nor were the Scots able to stop the South Africans from causing mayhem with ball in hand. "They were able to score from just about any position on the field. They had pace out wide and strength and power in the pack," said John.

Scotland may take some encouragement ahead of their final pool match in Tonga's 67-5 loss to Australia and the fact the two matches they dreaded are now behind them. "We've got to try to compete at our level," said John.

Scotland U20: Ollie Grove (Worcester Warriors); Michael Tait (Newcastle Falcons), Callum MacBurnie (Moseley), James Johnstone (Currie), Dougie Fife (Currie); Matthew Scott (Currie), Alex Black (Leeds Carnegie); Anthony Kent (London Scottish), Adam Fedorciow (University of Bath), Colin Philips (Stewart's Melville), David Denton (Edinburgh Accies), Grant Gilchrist (Stirling County), Callum Stidston-Nott (London Scottish), Michael Fedo (Watsonians), Stuart McInally (Watsonians) Captain Subs Alun Walker (Currie), George Hunter (Glasgow Hawks), Robert Harley (West of Scotland), Michael Maltman (Heriot's), Russell Weir (Loughborough Students), Tom Brown (Edinburgh Accies), Jonny Kennedy (Sale Sharks)

South Africa U20: Patrick Lambie (Natal Sharks); Wandile Mjekevu (Golden Lions), Branco due Preez (South Western Districts), Francois Venter (Blue Bulls), Sibussio Sithole (Natal Sharks); Elton Jantiles (Golden Lions), Louis Schreuder (Western Province): Brummer Badenhorst (Western Province), Monde Hadebe (Natal Sharks), Marcel van der Merwe (Free State), Kene Okafor (Natal Sharks), Sebasteian de Chaves (Golden Lions), Siya Kolisi (Western Province), Mlungisi Bali (Blue Bulls), CJ Stander (Blue Bulls) Captain Subs Francois due Toit (Golden Lions), Ruan Dreyer (Golden Lions), Wessel du Rand (Golden Lions), Peet Marais (Natal Sharks), Lubabalo Mtembu (Natal Sharks), Adri Jacobs (Blue Bulls), Nico Scheepers (Free State).