Junior Boks Crowned U20 World Champions After Historic Win Over New Zealand

In a mouth-watering finale at Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo, Italy, the Junior Boks secured their first U20 World Rugby Championship title since 2012 by defeating New Zealand 23-15 on Saturday. The victory marks a monumental achievement for South Africa’s young stars, showcasing a blend of physicality, discipline, and clinical execution under pressure.

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In the final, South Africa stamped their authority from the opening whistle, using a dominant eight-man maul to perfection. Just three minutes in, flanker Xola Nyali powered over the line, converting their trademark forward strength into the opening try, a statement of intent that set the tone for the match.

The momentum swung further in South Africa’s favour when New Zealand loosehead prop Sika Pole was issued a 20-minute red card in the 22nd minute for a head-on-head tackle. The sin-binning handed the Junior Springboks a clear advantage, which they capitalised on through reliable goalkicking. Vusi Moyo slotted multiple penalties, guiding his team to a 13-5 lead at halftime.

As the game entered its final phase, South Africa continued to marshal the contest methodically until a decisive moment in the 77th minute. Scrumhalf Haashim Pead delivered an exquisite chip into in‑goal, where fullback Gilermo Mentoe raced through to score, securing a memorable 23–15 win.