Ruthless Junior Boks kick off U20 title defence with 16-try Uruguay drubbing

South Africa ran in 16 tries, with wings Risima Khosa and Jordan Steenkamp both scoring hat-tricks, while Khuthadzo Rasivhaga and Jayden Brits added two tries each.

Markus Muller, Ethan Adams, Cheswill Jooste, Siphosethu Mnebelele and Gert Kemp also crossed the whitewash, while Uruguay conceded a penalty try.

The Junior Boks led 50-0 at half-time after taking control following a scrappy opening spell. They scored seven tries before the break, with Steenkamp and Rasivhaga both crossing twice, while Khosa, Muller and Adams also dotted down as South Africa capitalised on their dominance up front and out wide.

The defending champions maintained the same intensity after the interval, adding nine more tries as their bench made an immediate impact.

Jooste, Brits and Mnebelele all scored after coming on, while Khosa completed his hat-trick before Steenkamp followed suit later in the half.

Brits' second try took the Junior Boks past the 100-point mark before Uruguay grabbed a late consolation score.

The victory was South Africa's seventh successive at the tournament, equalling their longest winning streak in the competition, set across the 2012 and 2013 editions.

The Junior Boks made an ideal start to their title defence and will take plenty of confidence into their remaining pool matches.