The young South Africans led 31-5 at halftime and kicked on to eventually score nine tries and six conversions, while Georgia managed three tries and two conversions.

The second round of the annual international tournament kicked off in bright winter sunshine on the outskirts of Wellington in the Western Cape.

Georgia, who delivered a shock win over England in the opening round on Tuesday, struggled with their fundamentals as they were put under pressure by the hosts. Their lineout let them down, they were not as dominant as expected in the scrum and they conceded penalties at regular intervals to allow the South Africans most of the momentum.

The SA U18 ‘A’ side would be happy with especially how they dealt with the Georgian forward challenge, with their strong set piece setting a solid platform for their lively backline.

The hosts opened the scoring early when Thomas Muller (hooker) crashed over after an impressive 30m lineout maul. The Georgians hit back almost immediately and in similar fashion, when Piskhelauri Gocha (hooker) dotted down from a lineout drive.

Tries by Migael Turner (lock) and Ncutu Kepe (wing) – who did brilliantly to collect a cross-field kick from SA U18 ‘A; captain and flyhalf Jeandre Uithaler – quickly took the score to 17-5.

Quintin Potgieter scored two tries against Georgia.

With the forwards doing a sterling job and Georgia struggling with the heavy underfoot conditions, the SA U18 ‘A’ side moved into another gear to score further tries through Junade Pasensie (wing) and Quintin Potgieter (No 8). Uithaler added the extras as the South Africans stretched their lead to 31-5, which was just reward for a dominant first-half display.

Georgia was first to score in the second stanza when Balanchivadze Nikoloz (prop) forced his way over for a try converted by replacement flyhalf Butshrikidze Levani to reduce the deficit to 31-12.

However, the hosts hit back with two tries – Potgieter and Pasensie each scoring their second of the match – to increase the lead to 43-12. They were soon followed over the line by hard-running outside centre Erin Nelson, who went over under the posts after a deft pass from Uithaler.

That well executed try took the score to the half century mark, with the home side now leading 50-12 with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Georgia carded their third five-pointer but Uithaler had the last say with another deft kick over the defence for replacement outside back Nathan Aneke to collect and score, taking the score to 57-12.

Scorers:

SA U18 ‘A’ 57 (31) – Tries: Thomas Muller, Migael Turner, Ncutu Kepe, Junade Pasensie (2), Quintin Potgieter (2), Erin Nelson, Nathan Aneke. Conversions: Jeandre Uithaler (6).

Georgia 19 (5) – Tries: Pitskhelauri Gocha, Balanchivadze Nikoloz, Gabriel Razmadze. Conversions: Butshrikidze Levani (2).