The Junior Boks closed out their series against Argentina U20 with a 41-36 victory in Cape Town on Saturday.

Having claimed convincing victories in each of the first two matches, Dawie Theron's team were pushed all the way by the gritty South Americans.

The Boks led 24-5 at half-time through four tries. Jean-Luc du Preez struggled once again with the boot, converting only two of these efforts.

Argentina responded early in the second half, though, after Echardt Rodrigo ran in two tries in as many minutes to bring the scores level at 24-24.

The Junior Boks reclaimed the lead through a Duhan van der Merwe try, and it was a lead that they would not relinquish.

Two more tries from Jean-Luc du Plessis and Warrick Gelant gave them some breathing space before Argentina claimed two of their own to bring a highly entertaining match to a close.

The Junior Boks will now head off to New Zealand for the Junior World Championship where they have been drawn in the same group as Scotland, Samoa and New Zealand.

South Africa U20 – Tries: Pierre Schoeman, André Esterhuizen, JP Smith, Dan Kriel, Duhan van der Merwe, Jean-Luc du Preez, Warrick Gelant. Conversions: Jean-Luc du Preez (3).
Argentina U20 – Tries: Boffelli Emiliano, Lezana Tomas (2), Echardt Rodrigo (2), Gigena Facundo. Conversions: Pato Fernandez (3).

South Africa U20 – 15 Jessie Kriel, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan Kriel, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 JP Smith, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Victor Sekekete, 5 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 4 Abongile Nontonkwane, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Pierre Schoeman.

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images