Junior Boks take on New Zealand in World Rugby U20 Championship final on Saturday
Rugby's fiercest rivals, South Africa and New Zealand, are set to clash in the World Rugby U20 Championship final for the first time since 2012, following impressive semi-final victories over France and Argentina.
The Junior Springboks. Picture: @SAJuniorRugby/X
The much-anticipated showdown revives memories of the 2012 final, when the Junior Springboks edged the Baby Blacks to lift their first and only U20 title on home soil.
On Monday, 14 July, fans at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella witnessed two thrilling semi-finals.
The action began with a rematch of the 2024 encounter between France and New Zealand, a high-scoring affair previously won 55-31 by Les Bleuets in South Africa. This time, however, the Junior All Blacks had the last word, securing their place in the final and ending France's hopes of a three-peat.
South Africa, meanwhile, made a blistering start in their semi-final against Argentina. Centre Albie Bester opened the scoring in the ninth minute, and moments later, scrum-half Hassiem Pead finished a sweeping move straight from the restart.
With a 28-3 lead inside 25 minutes, the Junior Boks looked set to cruise, but Argentina hit back just before halftime through number eight Agustín Garcia Campos Fiszman.
Timoteo Silva’s second-half try narrowed the gap to 11 points, but South Africa responded with composure. Vusi Moyo added two penalties before Bester raced in for his second try, securing a 48-24 win and their first final appearance in over a decade.
Earlier in the day, Wales looked to repeat their U20 Six Nations triumph over England and led 13-12 at the break thanks to Sion Davies’ try.
However, England stormed back with three tries in an eight-minute burst around the hour mark to claim a dominant 51-13 victory, securing a top-six finish in the 2025 Championship.
Watch the Junior Boks take on New Zealand live on SuperSport, Saturday, 19 July at 8.30 pm.