World Rugby Under-20 Championship titleholder South Africa is putting it all on the line against France in Tbilisi this Saturday. This is it, folks, the big one.
The Gritty Path to the Final
Both these squads have been absolutely fire this summer, each racking up four wins from four games. But let’s be real, France’s path hasn’t been quite as dominant as their southern hemisphere rivals. Les Bleuets barely scraped by New Zealand in their semi-final, with Adrien Darault sealing a tight 26-22 victory with a clutch 76th-minute try. Talk about heart-stopping! That win punched their ticket to their fifth final appearance in the last six tournaments, which is just wild.
On the flip side, South Africa, aka the Junior Springboks, showed some serious grit against England. They were down 20-12 at halftime, staring defeat in the face, but then they just unleashed a monstrous 41-17 display in the second period. Natal Sharks prospect Khuthadzo Rasivhaga went absolutely off, completing a hat-trick of tries. And get this: they pulled off that comeback even after team-mate Luan Giliomee got a red card! That’s next-level stuff right there.
History on the Line
Now, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Junior Boks are gunning to be the first team to successfully retain the U20 world title since France did it back in 2018-19. That’s a huge legacy they’re playing for! And speaking of Giliomee, he’s been cleared to play in the final despite his semi-final sending off. That’s a massive boost for South Africa, especially with his sevens specialist skills.
For France, it’s all about bringing home their first world title since 2023. French hooker Gabin Garault is absolutely crushing it, already bagging six tries in the tournament. He’s looking to finish as the top scorer and lead Les Bleuets to glory. Can he do it? You know South Africa’s defense will be keyed in on him.
This championship final is going down Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 12:30 PM EDT. You absolutely cannot miss it. Tune in on CBS Sports Network or stream it live on Fubo. Get ready for some incredible rugby!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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