The Junior Springboks slumped to a morale-deflating 24-19 defeat against Australia in their second U20 Rugby Championship match at Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland on Tuesday.
The result comes on the back of their opening match draw against New Zealand, and means that South Africa are now the only winless side remaining in the tournament.
Earlier today, New Zealand had beaten Argentina, who inflicted defeat on host Australia in round one.
The Junior Springboks will finish their campaign against Argentina U20 on Sunday, 12 May.
MATCH SUMMARY
Ill-discipline, poor handling skills, awful game-management and no set-piece dominance were the order of the day for a Junior Springboks side that conceded a red card in the first half and a yellow card in the last 10 minutes of the game when they were trying to get back into the contest.
Taking full advantage of loosehead prop Mbasa Maqubela to a red card for a dangerous clean out in the 20th minute, Australia scored the first try of the game that eventually gave them a 10-7 lead at the break after an intense first half battle.
The blows just kept on coming for South Africa, who fullback Michail Damon early in the second half after he was knocked out in a tackle.
The Junior Springboks fought back through tries by speedster Litelihle Bester, was horrible defence and a sub-par disciplinary showing allowed the Aussies to stay ahead on the scored with two more tries, including a penalty try at a crucial point in the game.
And yet, with about five minute remaining, the game hung in the balance as the Junior Springboks were in shot at snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. But as they launched one last attack from deep, an unforced knock on in the middle of the field ended any and all hope of a complete comeback.
JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS VS AUSSIES: SCORERS AND TEAMS
Junior Springboks — Tries: JF van Heerden, Litelihle Bester (2). Conversions: Thurlon Williams (2).
Australia — Tries: Shane Wilcox (2), Penalty Try. Conversions: Cullen Gray, Joey Fowler. Penalty goal: Gray.
Junior Wallabies — 15 Shane Wilcox, 14 Kauri Tipene-Grace, 13 Frankie Goldsbrough, 12 Ronan Leahy, 11 Angus Staniforth, 10 Cullen Gray, 9 Hwi Sharples, 8 Jack Harley, 7 Dan Sawers, 6 Ben Di Staso, 5 Oliver McRea, 4 Toby Macpherson (captain), 3 Nick Bloomfield, 2 Otavio Tuipulotu, 1 Jack Barrett.
Subs: 16 Lington Ieli, 17 Bryn Edwards, 18 Tevita Alatini, 19 Harvey Cordukes, 20 Joe Liddy, 21 Doug Philipson, 22 Joey Fowler, 23 David Palu.
Junior Springboks — 15 Michail Damon, 14 Joshua Boulle, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Philip-Albert van Niekerk, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Thurlon Williams, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Tiaan Jacobs, 7 Keanu Coetzee, 6 Divan Fuller, 5 JF van Heerden (captain), 4 Bathobele Hlekani, 3 Reno Hirst, 2 Ethan Bester, 1 Mbasa Maqubela.
Subs: 16 CJ Erasmus, 17 Liyema Ntshanga, 18 Casper Badenhorst, 19 Adam de Waal, 20 Thabang Mphafi, 21 Hassiem Pead, 22 Bruce Sherwood, 23 JC Mars.