Under-20 World Championship final result: Junior All Blacks fall to South Africa

New Zealand lost in the final to South Africa. Photo / Photosport

The Junior All Blacks’ quest to win rugby’s Under-20 World Championship for the first time since 2017 has fallen short, going down 23-15 to South Africa in the final in Rovigo, Italy.

Ill-discipline turned out to be New Zealand’s downfall with prop Sika Pole handed a red card midway through the first half for a high tackle on South Africa loose forward J.J. Theron, while lock Xavier Treacy was yellow-carded in the second half.

New Zealand captain Manumaua Letiu admitted they were not good enough on the day.

“It was a tough game for the boys,” Manumanu said. “Big ups to South Africa.

“They came here ready for a big fight, dominating us in the collisions. We couldn’t set up our attack effectively.

“We knew what was coming. We knew they’d come firing, and they did.”

It took just three minutes for South Africa to open the scoring through Xola Nyali off a lineout drive.

Jayden Sa struck back for New Zealand, but disaster struck when prop Pole was initially handed a yellow card, which was quickly upgraded to a 20-minute red card, forcing Mosese Bason off the field.

South African were then reduced to 14 players with second five-eighths Albie Bester shown a yellow card for head contact during a ruck cleanout. However, the Junior Boks managed to kick two penalty goals before the break to lead 13-5 at halftime.

Both sides exchanged penalties to start the second half and it was a fairly tight contest until Treacy was yellow-carded in the final 10 minutes.

The Boks sealed the win with fullback Gilermo Mentoe scoring in the 77th minute, although New Zealand had the last say with Maloni Kunawave scoring in the final minute.

It’s South Africa’s first Under-20 title since 2012, when they defeated New Zealand 22-16 in the final.

“This is the greatest day of my life,” South African captain Riley Norton said.

“Set pieces, mauls, scrums, hits – this is where South Africa gets its energy from. It’s our DNA,“ Norton said.

“We came out and gave it everything. New Zealand never backs down. To play them in the final is very special.”

Meanwhile, Georgia will host next year’s tournament, which will be expanded to 16 teams.

Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking news.