The Junior Springboks defended their Junior World Championship title with a hard-fought win against France U20 at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi.
South Africa triumphed 16-5 and could have won by an even bigger margin if not for several disallowed tries.
Two penalty goals from flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed gave the Junior Boks a 6-0 lead at half-time of Saturday’s final, which was delayed by lightning, but France hit back early in the second half with an unconverted try from flank Raphael Audebert.
The Junior Boks then withstood another fierce French onslaught, with the TMO unable to see a clear grounding, and won a penalty from the resultant scrum.
South Africa thought they’d scored a try when replacement scrumhalf Jayden Brits’ kick was dropped by the French and substitute centre Samuel Badenhorst collected the loose ball. But the TMO quickly pointed out the knock-on.
After a long-range France penalty-goal attempt fell short, the Junior Boks struck from a maul when replacement hooker Liam van Wyk offloaded to centre Markus Muller. Ahmed added the extras to make it 13-5.
Markus Muller comes in clutch
The Junior Boks extend their lead over France at a critical time
Stream #JuniorWorldChampionship on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/2RdqYzd6EI
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 18, 2026
The Junior Boks celebrated again when winger Cheswill Jooste crossed the line with eight minutes remaining only for the TMO to spot a foot in touch.
Ahmed was then denied a try when the match officials ruled he had jumped over a defender, but the flyhalf slotted a penalty to secure the win.
ALSO: Seven-try Boks blank Wales again
In the third-place playoff, New Zealand beat England 41-26.
JUNIOR BOKS – Try: Markus Muller. Conversion: Yaqeen Ahmed. Penalties: Ahmed (3).
FRANCE U20 – Try: Raphael Audebert.
Photo: Levan Verdzeuli/World Rugby
The post Junior Boks go back to back appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Junior Springboks defended their Junior World Championship title with a hard-fought win against France U20 at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi.
The post Junior Boks go back to back appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
