In a thrilling showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, New Zealand managed to hold on to defeat the Junior Springboks 48-45 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, securing their second consecutive U20 Rugby Championship title.

The match, played in front of 14,835 spectators, was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the Junior Springboks coming out strong, but New Zealand ultimately prevailing in a tense final few minutes.

Junior Springboks Dominate Early in the Match

The game kicked off with an explosive start by the Junior Springboks, who quickly took control, scoring 19 unanswered points within the first 15 minutes.

The home side capitalized on the strong wind conditions in the first half, with centre Albie Bester opening the scoring in the corner.

Simphiwe Ngobese and Siphosethu Mnebelele followed with tries, and the Junior Boks looked to be cruising with a 19-0 lead.

Despite New Zealand’s early struggles, including 37 tackles within the first 10 minutes and a couple of penalties, the Junior Springboks’ strong mauling and aggressive play around the rucks put them in a commanding position.

New Zealand Fights Back with Resilience

However, New Zealand wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

Despite being pinned in their own half, they gradually started to claw their way back into the game.

Harlyn Saunoa’s acrobatic try was the first sign of their resurgence, followed by another try from the winger just minutes later.

This brought the Kiwis back into the game, closing the gap to just seven points.

South Africa responded with a stunning team try, with Gino Cupido finishing a well-timed pass to restore their 14-point lead, but New Zealand was relentless.

A penalty and a driving maul helped them narrow the gap, and just before the break, Saunoa scored his third try following an intercepted pass, bringing the Kiwis within just two points of the lead at halftime.

A Thrilling Second Half with Momentum Shifts

The second half saw New Zealand take control for the first time in the match.

Maloni Kunawave pounced on a well-placed kick by Jack Wiseman to give the Kiwis a four-point lead.

The momentum continued to swing in New Zealand’s favor, with Sika Pole scoring from a powerful drive and the lead extending to 38-26. But the Junior Springboks refused to be outdone.

Wandile Mlaba intercepted a pass near New Zealand’s line and scored, narrowing the gap once again to just seven points.

Despite the pressure, New Zealand kept pushing forward, with Stanley Solomon finishing off a slick move to give the Kiwis a 43-31 lead.

The Junior Boks fought back again with a second try from Mlaba, but New Zealand’s response came quickly, as Kunawave added a second try to extend the lead to 48-38.

Final Drama with Red Cards and Disallowed Try

The last 10 minutes were filled with drama as New Zealand’s Caleb Woodley was red-carded after a head clash, leaving the Kiwis with only 13 players on the field.

South Africa tried to capitalize on their advantage, and with five minutes left, they were awarded a penalty try after New Zealand illegally stopped a maul.

This cut the lead to just three points, with the Junior Boks now needing a last-minute try to win.

However, despite the numerical advantage, South Africa couldn’t break through.

New Zealand held on in the final minutes, with some crucial tackles and defensive plays ensuring their victory.

The match ended with a 48-45 scoreline, and New Zealand claimed another U20 Rugby Championship title.

Final Standings and Scorers

Australia secured second place after a hard-fought 40-36 win over Argentina, while the Junior Springboks finished in third place, leaving Argentina without a win.

Junior Springboks Scorers:

Tries: Albie Bester, Simphiwe Ngobese, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Gino Cupido, Wandile Mlaba (2), Penalty try
Conversions: Vusi Moyo (4)

New Zealand Scorers:

Tries: Harlyn Saunoa (3), Manumaua Letiu, Maloni Kunawave (2), Sika Pole, Stanley Solomon
Conversions: Will Cole (4)

It was a memorable match for both teams, with the Junior Springboks showing plenty of promise, but ultimately, New Zealand’s resilience and tactical play saw them through to victory.

The next generation of rugby stars continues to shine brightly on the world stage.