Junior Boks complete perfect World Championship pool stage

July 7, 2026 18

The Junior Springboks fought back from an early 14-point deficit to beat Wales 52-31 and secure a place in the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship with a perfect pool-stage record.

The Junior Boks will face England in the semi-finals on Monday, while New Zealand will battle France in the other last-four clash.

Following a fast start from the Welsh, South Africa hit back through a powerful scrum, with Hendre Schoeman scoring their first try. Yaqeen Ahmed made it a seven-point game following the conversion.

The Junior Boks took the lead for the first time after captain, Siphosethu Mnebelele, powered over from a rolling maul, having held up over the line moments earlier.

Head coach, Kevin Foote, admitted that his side were not at their best in the opening exchanges but praised the way they responded.

“We were a little bit passive in the beginning,” said Foote.

“But once we got into the game and built some momentum, I thought we created some really good try-scoring opportunities. There was a lot of attacking intent and the players showed good composure to take control of the match.”

South Africa finished top of Pool A with 15 points, while Wales ended second on 10 points.

New Zealand clinched first spot in Pool B, also on 15 points, while England and France also qualified for the semi-finals by topping their respective pools.

Reaction from Kevin Foote: “We were a little bit passive in the beginning, but once we got into the game and built some momentum, I thought we created some really good try-scoring opportunities” – more here: https://t.co/ilnlWI0fJW 🗣️#JuniorBoks #JourneyToGreatness… pic.twitter.com/GwloBZeMJW

— SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) July 7, 2026