The Junior Springboks suffered their first loss of the U20 Rugby Championship in a narrow defeat to a physically dominant Australia in rainy conditions in Queensland on Tuesday.

Tournament hosts Australia powered to a 24-19 victory over the heavily-changed Junior Springboks, bouncing back from their opening round loss to Argentina.

Trailing 10-7 at half time, the Junior Boks lost loosehead prop Mbasa Maqubela to a red card for a dangerous clean out in the 20th minute, with Australia taking advantage through fullback Shane Wilcox’s first try.

South Africa suffered another big blow early in the second half when fullback Michail Damon had to be stretchered off after getting knocked out in a tackle.

An error-filled contest saw both teams make plenty of errors, but Australia dominated the set-piece battle, winning penalties at the scrums and causing the Junior Boks problems at the lineout.

Captain JF van Heerden capped an excellent solo performance by reaching over for the Junior Boks’ first try in the first half, while wing Litelihle Bester scored an opportunistic second-half brace to give South Africa hope of a comeback.

However, a second try from Wilcox, to go with a penalty try from a powerful driving maul was enough to get Australia their first win of the tournament.

The Junior Springboks, who opened the tournament with a draw with New Zealand, will finish their campaign against Argentina U20 on Sunday, 12 May.