WaterPolo I World Aquatics Championships, U18 Boys, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Day 5

South Africa 16 Uruguay 5
South Africa was always going to win this match as it has been playing some wonderful water polo. Karabo Mamaregane opened for South Africa and it led to a 3-0 advantage inside the last three minutes. Uruguay struck back twice through Emiliano Scelza with the second on counter. Rheese Hall squeezed in a score on extra, just before the buzzer for 4-2. Mamaregane started the second quarter as well as Uruguay was kept scoreless and South Africa helped itself to five goals. Matthew Lortan started the third and Uruguay stopped its nine-minute hiatus with a Luca Piretti score from centre. Juan Salom followed up with an outside shot for 10-4. South Africa replied with four unanswered goals for 14-4 at the final break. Oliver Ditz opened with a penalty goal for South Africa and Matias Nario responded on extra for 15-5. Hall scored on extra at 2:44 and the score held until the final buzzer.
Match Heroes
Mamaregane, Ross Rovelli and Hall scored three each for the victor. Scelza was Uruguay’s best with two goals.
Turning Point
The 3-0 opening start.
Stats Don’t Lie
South Africa netted seven from 10 on extra and blocked five from six — a huge difference in the match. South Africa also converted all six penalty attempts and saved one Uruguayan attempt. South Africa was freer with the ball, screaming in 36 times to 25.
Bottom Line
It was South Africa’s first win and Uruguay remains winless.