France and South Africa Set Up Junior World Championship 2026 Final After Thrilling Semi-Final Wins
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
France and South Africa will battle for the World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026 title after both teams secured exciting victories in Monday’s semi-finals in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The final will feature the champions of the U20 Six Nations and the U20 Rugby Championship, marking the first time these two sides have met in a Junior World Championship final. South Africa will aim to defend the title they won last year, while France will be chasing their fourth championship crown.
France Edge New Zealand in Dramatic Finish
France booked their place in the final with a thrilling 26-22 victory over New Zealand.
The match remained closely contested throughout before Adrien Drault scored the decisive try in the closing minutes, finishing off an impressive team move to send France into the championship match.
France captain Lucas Andjisseramatchi praised his team’s determination after the match, saying the players stayed united against a strong New Zealand side.
New Zealand, six-time champions of the tournament, will now compete in the third-place playoff.
South Africa Overcome England
Defending champions South Africa produced a dominant second-half display to defeat England 53-37 and keep their title defense alive.
England started strongly and held the lead during the opening half, but the contest changed after they were reduced to 14 players following a first-half red card.
South Africa capitalized on the numerical advantage by scoring several second-half tries to secure an impressive victory and extend their winning streak in the tournament.
Captain Siphosethu Mnebelele praised his teammates for remaining calm under pressure and said the squad is already focused on preparing for the final against France.
Third-Place Playoff Confirmed
Following their semi-final defeats, England and New Zealand will face each other in the third-place playoff before the championship final on Saturday in Tbilisi.
Italy and Ireland Continue Winning Run
In the ninth-place semi-finals:
- Italy defeated tournament hosts Georgia 43-19 after an outstanding first-half performance.
- Ireland held off a determined Fiji side to claim a 24-19 victory.
Scotland and Wales to Battle for Fifth Place
The fifth-place playoffs were also confirmed after impressive performances from Scotland and Wales.
- Scotland defeated Argentina 44-26, with captain Joe Roberts scoring twice during another strong display.
- Wales edged Australia 38-36 in one of the tournament’s most entertaining matches after a late Australian try was ruled out following a video review.
Championship Final Awaits
All attention now turns to Saturday’s final, where France will attempt to reclaim the Junior World Championship title for the first time since 2023, while South Africa looks to successfully defend its crown and continue its impressive run on the world stage.
