It was not the result they wanted, but the Junior Springboks were happy with the effort and learnings from their U20 Rugby Championship opener played in very difficult conditions against a strong New Zealand Under-20 side in Australia.
Zachary Porthen will lead the Junior Springboks against New Zealand on Thursday, in the opening round of the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina, Queensland in Australia.
When the Junior Springboks open their Under-20 Rugby Championship campaign against New Zealand at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on Thursday, they will have the benefit of calling on the calmness of towering lock JF van Heerden.
The Springboks will line up against Rugby World Cup opponents, Scotland and England, before taking on Wales in the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour in November, with the last Tests confirmed on Monday.
The Junior Springboks will kick off the inaugural Rugby Championship (TRC) Under-20 tournament with an exciting match against New Zealand on Thursday, 2 May at the Sunshine Coast Stadium, SANZAAR confirmed on Wednesday when it announced the draw for new competition.
Proteas spinner Dane Piedt grabbed five wickets against New Zealand to give South Africa a 31-run lead at stumps on the second day of the second Test.
An unbeaten 70-run partnership between Ruan de Swardt and Shaun von Berg saved the Proteas' blushes as they recovered to 220-6 in the second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton.
Black Caps seamer Kyle Jamieson claimed four wickets to guide New Zealand to a 281-run victory over South Africa in the first Test s at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
Kane Williamson grabbed his second century of the match as New Zealand took complete control of the first Test on day three against the Proteas.
Virat Kohli scored a record-breaking 50th one-day international hundred before Mohammed Shami took a seven wicket-haul as India sealed their progression to the Cricket World Cup final with a 70-run win against New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday.