The Junior Springboks failed to make it three wins in a row for South African rugby teams over England when they went down 32-31 to their English counterparts in the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship.
The Springboks and Springbok Sevens teams were both triumphant over England this past weekend, but the Junior Boks narrowly lost their match after going 19-0 behind after 24 minutes of play.
England scored three tries during that time, with Tom Parton, Tom Hardick and Ben White all crossing the line. Sazi Sandi scored the Junior Boks' only try of the first half, as England went into the break 22-7 up.
The South Africans played with a lot more control in the second half and tried to take the ball up through the middle via their powerful forward pack. They started to get more possession and territory, and hit back with tries from Muller Uys, Ruan Nortje and Manuel Rass.
England led 32-24 with about 10 minutes to go after Jordan Olowofela scored a converted try. But, after England's James Scott received a yellow card, Asenathi Ntlabakanye crashed over for a converted try with six minutes to go.
However, the Junior Boks just couldn't get their hands on the ball in the last five minutes to try and win the match.