The Junior Springboks are one win away from back-to-back Junior World Championship titles after overturning an 8-point halftime deficit to beat England 53-37 in the semifinal in Tbilisi. The comeback was built on a dominant second-half forward display that created the platform for wing Khuthadzo Rasivhaga to bag a hat-trick. Assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa pointed to the team's composure under pressure — absorbing England's early plan before executing with greater precision after the break — as the standout quality of the performance. Head coach Kevin Foote is under no illusions about Saturday's final, flagging France as formidable opponents who pushed New Zealand hard and come in as Six Nations champions. If the forward pack can reproduce the second-half intensity that dismantled England, a consecutive title is firmly on.
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.
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' 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.
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.