The Junior Springboks are through to the Junior World Championship final after overturning an eight-point halftime deficit to beat England 53-37 in Tbilisi — and the forward pack will again be central to their plans against France on Saturday. The comeback was built on composure and second-half precision, with Rasivhaga finishing a hat-trick as SA turned a 20-12 halftime deficit into a comprehensive win. Assistant coach Mthethwa credited the players' ability to absorb England's early pressure and execute more accurately after the break. Head coach Kevin Foote has flagged France as a serious threat — Six Nations champions who pushed New Zealand deep in their semifinal — but the mood in camp is confident. Win it and the Junior Boks have back-to-back titles.
Junior Boks' forward dominance sets up back-to-back title shot against France
The Junior Boks overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to beat England 53-37, setting up a Junior World Championship final against France on Saturday. Forward dominance and second-half composure were the keys, with Rasivhaga bagging a hat-trick. Foote rates France as a genuine threat after their semifinal showing against New Zealand.
Springboks lead World Rugby rankings by 3.61 points ahead of Nations Championship
South Africa top the World Rugby rankings on 93.94 points, 3.61 clear of New Zealand, as the Springboks head into the inaugural Nations Championship. World Rugby has also confirmed the removal of home weighting from the rankings system from 1 July 2026.
Junior Boks into the final — forward power the key against France
The Junior Boks came from 8 points down to beat England 53-37, with a dominant second-half forward platform and Rasivhaga's hat-trick the highlights. They face France in Saturday's final in Tbilisi, with back-to-back Junior World Championship glory on the line.
Junior World Championship Semis: Junior Boks Face Unbeaten England, Rugby365 Tips SA by Eight
Full team sheets and match predictions for all Junior World Championship knockout fixtures, including the Junior Boks vs England semifinal — Rugby365 tips South Africa to win by eight against an unbeaten English side.
Junior Boks through to World Cup final after 53-37 demolition of England
The Junior Springboks beat England 53-37 in the U20 World Championship semifinal in Tbilisi, with Khuthadzo Rasivhaga scoring a hat-trick and Yaqeen Ahmed contributing 23 points. They face France in Saturday's final at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, kickoff 6.30pm.
Junior Springboks rout England 53-37 to reach JWC final after red-card turning point
The Junior Springboks reached the JWC final with a 53-37 win over England, with Seb Kelly's 32nd-minute red card for a headbutt on Luan Giliomee proving the turning point. Rasivhaga scored a hat-trick and Kebotile Maake crossed twice as South Africa ran away with the match. They face France in the final.