South Africa cruise, France shine early, and Argentina scrape through to deny England a semi-final spot in dramatic fashion.
Match-day three of the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship delivered everything—thrilling comebacks, clinical domination and heartbreak for reigning champions England.
South Africa stamped their authority, France lit up the first quarter, New Zealand roared back from another slow start, and Argentina’s gritty bonus point knocked out the holders.
Here is a comprehensive recap of all third-round drama and a look ahead to the playoffs.
Junior Boks Flatten Scotland To Top Pool A With Perfect Record
South Africa made 11 changes against Scotland and still ran in 11 tries to cruise to a 73-14 victory in Cape Town. Scotland applied early pressure, but Jaco Williams intercepted a kick and sprinted 70 metres to open the scoring for South Africa. With blistering pace and brute strength, the Junior Springboks scored almost at will before easing off in the middle stages of the match.
They closed with four tries in the final 20 minutes, including one from star scrum-half Hassiem Pead off the bench. South Africa will now face Argentina in the semi-finals, while Scotland battles Ireland for ninth place after another bruising loss.
France Blitz Argentina, But Los Pumitas Sneak Into Semi-Finals
France roared into the semi-finals with four tries in the opening 15 minutes before easing to a 52-26 win over Argentina. Argentina also qualified by securing a bonus point thanks to four tries, including a crucial late score by hooker Jerónimo Otano.
Despite their early collapse, Argentina battled back through Pedro Coll and pressure-driven lineouts to earn a shot at the title. Captain Felipe Ledesma admitted the early blitz changed the team’s goal to just chasing the semi-final-clinching fourth try.
France now meets New Zealand, while Argentina prepare for a daunting clash with unbeaten South Africa in the semi-finals.
England Beat Australia, But Argentina’s Bonus Point Knocks Them Out
England secured a nail-biting 36-33 win over Australia with a last-minute penalty, but still crashed out due to Argentina’s bonus. Connor Treacey’s early try gave England momentum, and Kepueli Tuipulotu’s hat-trick helped them secure the needed four-try bonus point.
Jack Bracken extended the lead to 33-14, but three rapid-fire tries from Australia levelled the scores late on. Benjamin Coen’s penalty sealed the win, but England still fell short as Argentina scored four tries in their loss to France.
Captain Tuipulotu admitted England “switched off” and paid the price, missing the semi-finals for just the third time in history.
Baby Blacks U20 Bash Ireland To Storm Into Semis
New Zealand ran in 11 tries to beat Ireland 69-22 and send a powerful warning ahead of their semi-final against France. Ireland made a strong start, leading by 10 early on, but New Zealand’s attack proved too clinical and relentless to stop.
Number eight Mosese Bason opened the floodgates, followed by tries from across the backline including a sensational solo run by Maloni Kunawave.
Ireland must now regroup before facing Scotland in the ninth-place play-offs after being outgunned in every department by New Zealand.
Wales Claim Crucial Win Over Spirited Spanish Side
Wales finally found their finishing edge in a scrappy 35-25 win over Spain to grab their first victory in Pool B.
After two narrow losses, Wales used their four-try bonus point win to climb above Spain and into the fifth-place playoffs. Replacement Sion Davies scored the pick of the tries with a winding run through Spain’s tired midfield defence just past the hour.
Spain had more possession and territory but failed again to convert dominance into points, despite leading 18-14 at half-time. Wales will now meet England for fifth place, while Spain drop into a ninth-place semi-final clash against Georgia.
Italy Deny Georgia With Last-Gasp Try To Set Up Aussie Clash
Italy scored with the clock in the red to draw 19-19 with 14-man Georgia and move one game from a historic finish. Georgia lost their captain to a red card after 12 minutes but led thanks to two tries from Luka Takaishvili.
In the final seconds, Edoardo Todaro dotted down under the posts to deny Georgia their first win of the tournament. Italy will now face Australia in the fifth-place play-offs, aiming for their best-ever finish at the U20 Championship.
Georgia face Spain in a ninth-place semi-final after a gutsy but ultimately frustrating draw on home soil.
World Rugby U20 Championship 2025 – Semi-Final Lineup
The semi-final stage of the World Rugby U20 Championship 2025 kicks off on Monday, 14 July, with all fixtures taking place in Viadana, Italy.
Cup Semi-Finals
France U20 vs New Zealand U20
Kick-off: 18:00
Venue: Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana
South Africa U20 vs Argentina U20
Kick-off: 20:30
Venue: Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana
Fifth-Place Semi-Final
England U20 vs Wales U20
Kick-off: 15:30
Venue: Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana
Italy U20 vs Australia U20
Kick-off: 20:30
Venue: Payanini Centre, Verona
Ninth-Place Semi-Final
Georgia U20 vs Spain U20
Kick-off: 15:30
Venue: Payanini Centre, Verona
Ireland U20 vs Scotland U20
Kick-off: 18:00
Venue: Payanini Centre, Verona
