The Junior Springboks and Junior All Blacks will clash in a high-stakes U20 final after dominant semi-final performances.
The 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship sets the stage for a thrilling final after riveting semi-finals. The Junior Springboks and the Junior All Blacks triumphed over Argentina and France, respectively.
Both teams combined attack, defence, and resilience to secure spots in Saturday’s final in Rovigo. With momentum and national pride at stake, the clash promises to be a defining moment for young talent.
Junior Springboks Slay Argentina
South Africa dominated to beat Argentina 48–24, shutting down the Pumas’ rolling maul and gun-for-hire forwards.
They surged to a 28–3 lead with four first-half tries, showcasing width and swift ruck speed. Argentina fought back with a maul try and strong forward carries, trimming the margin to 28–17.
But Junior Bok Cheswill Jooste sealed victory with a buzzer-beater try after Vusi Moyo secured two penalty goals.
Coach Kevin Foote praised the players’ defence under pressure and their relentless work ethic.
Captain Riley Norton credited their improved breakdown systems, citing a structured effort and game awareness during the contest.
Junior All Blacks Overpower France
New Zealand recorded a convincing 35–18 win over France to reach their seventh U20 final. Their forwards dominated at the breakdown, creating quick ball and momentum for the backs.
Their finely-tuned offloads from the midfield unlocked France’s defence on multiple occasions.
The Junior All Blacks were then forced to defend, and they did so with aplomb when France mounted a mini-comeback in the second half.
“That was a tough one,” said New Zealand scrumhalf Dylan Pledger. “We knew the French were going to bring some heat, so we just wanted to get one over on them [after losing last year’s semi-final].
“It’s pretty special to reach our first final for eight years. We talked about playing this like this was our final, and now we’ve got one more final to go.”
Final Preview
Saturday’s final pits South Africa’s defensive grit against New Zealand’s deft ball movement and breakdown speed.
Both teams bring physical dominance and strong set-pieces into the clash, making for a rugged, intense contest.
Their backlines promise lightning-quick counter-attacks and intelligent support play.
South Africa must maintain defensive cohesion and avoid sloppy errors that invite pressure against Argentina. They will likely aim to control territory with tactical kicking and claim clean ball at the breakdown.
New Zealand will look to pressurise early with offloads and smart carries to unsettle the Junior Springboks. Their pivot-halfback pairing offers service and vision, and their support lines threaten to exploit turnovers.
The collision points and aggressive rucking will test both teams, while discipline at breakdowns could shift the momentum. And lineout and scrum performance must remain tight for either side to control the physical exchanges.
Saturday’s final marks the first time the two sides have met in a World Rugby U20 Championship final since South Africa’s memorable victory over New Zealand in the 2012 sold-out final at Newlands in Cape Town.
