WALES ended their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign with a disappointing display when overpowered 47-31 by hosts South Africa.

The Welsh youngsters have battled hard in the tournament but were comprehensively outplayed by the seven-try Junior Springboks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

Dragons winger Walker Price, who had been flown out after injuries to clubmates Huw Anderson and Harry Rees-Weldon, scored a brace and number eight Owen Conquer, who has earned a pro deal with the Rodney Parade club after starring for Ebbw Vale, went over at the death.

However, the South Africans were in command throughout and had too much power for Richard Whiffin’s side at the end of a draining campaign.

Wales end the tournament with just one win – a hard-earned success against spirited Spain – and will be disappointed that they failed to push their hosts like they did New Zealand and Australia in the seventh-place play-off.

POWER: Phillip-Albert van Niekerk on the charge for South Africa U20s against WalesPOWER: Phillip-Albert van Niekerk on the charge for South Africa U20s against Wales (Image: Carl Fourie/World Rugby)

Tighthead Zach Porthen got the hosts moving with a superb charge and he was followed over by number eight Sibabalwe Mahashe and lock JF van Heerden.

Wales did get on the scoreboard before the break when Price produced a fine finish down the right, gathering and keeping low to dot down for an unconverted try.

He was followed over by fellow Gwent-raised Bristol speedster Aidan Boschoff either side of efforts by Mahashe and flanker Bathobele Hlekani.

A Steffan Emanuel interception made it 33-17 on 62 minutes but that was followed by a big response by the young Boks with scrum-half Asad Moos and prop Porthen making it 47-17.

To Wales’ credit, they finished with spirit in attack with a well-crafted try in the corner by Price and then another when the clock was in the red.

Conquer powered over and was given the score despite good work by the South African defence to try and prevent him grounding; had it been tight then the TMO might have intervened.

Wales U20 v South Africa: Matty Young (Cardiff); Walker Price (Dragons), Macs Page (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Aidan Boschoff (Bristol); Harri Ford (Dragons), Rhodri Lewis (Scarlets); Josh Morse (Scarlets), Isaac Young (Scarlets), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Gethyn Cannon (Cardiff Met), Ryan Woodman (Dragons, captain), Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff), Morgan Morse (Ospreys).

Replacements: Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Ioan Emanuel (Bath), Sam Scott (Bristol), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Owen Conquer (Dragons), Lucca Setaro (Scarlets), Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff).

Scorers: tries – Price (2), Boschoff, Emanuel, Conquer; conversions – Wilde (3).