Baby Boks victorious again in 15-try rout

South Africa continued their defence of the under-21 world rugby championships with a 15-try demolition of Canada at Henley on Tuesday.

The South Africans, who started the tournament with a 37-29 win over Ireland, led 50-3 at half time as they racked up a 102-10 win.

Coach Jake White said on Wednesday that he was delighted with the team's performance.

"The guys have worked very hard in the build-up to this tournament and it was great to see their confidence surge and things went right on the field," White said.

He said the team kept their focus for 80 minutes, even though he had sent on all seven reserves early in the second half.

"The guys who came on slotted in immediately. There was no let-up. It is good to know for the rest of the tournament that the whole squad knows and fits into the game plan."

White said he was pleased with the way forwards and backs linked.

"The team were nervous against Ireland. You could see it in the way they played, but yesterday everything clicked," he said.

Flyhalf Derick Hougaard was the outstanding performer on Tuesday, even though Boland wing Alshaun Bock scored five tries.

"Derick was outstanding in the way he controlled the match," the coach said about the No 10, who scored 27 points with the boot, including a 50-metre drop goal.

White was also happy that the experiment to play flyhalf Swys Swart at inside centre also worked like a charm.

"I believe that you should try different ideas at junior level and Swys really performed well at centre.

"It is something (playing a flyhalf at No 12) which the Crusaders and the Brumbies have done with great success at Super 12 level."

It takes some of the pressure off the flyhalf and gives more options to the backline.

The South Africans need to beat Wales on Saturday evening to ensure a place in the semifinals.

Wales, the recent Six Nations under-21 champions, are a strong side.

"They beat England and France in the Six Nations and they know how to win," White said.

If they do beat the Welsh, the SA team will play one of France, Australia or New Zealand in the semis.

"We knew going into the tournament that we have to win five matches if we are to retain the title.

"That has not changed. We just have to beat whoever we play against," White said.

The Baby Boks are defending a title they won last year after beating Australia in in the final.

Scorers:

South Africa.

Tries: Alshaun Bock (5), Dawid Britz (2), Schalk Burger (2), MJ Mentz, Neil Fullard, Ebrahim Moerat, Michael Claassens, Ross Skeate, Tandarai Chavanga. Conversions: Derick Hougaard (9). Penalties: Hougaard (2). Drop-goal: Hougaard.

Canada.

Penalty try. Conversion: Robert Wilson. Drop-goal: Wilson.

Other results

Scotland 15 Ireland 21

Australia 24 Italy 5

New Zealand 26 France 23

England 52 Japan 22