Round 3 in Italy Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa qualified for the semi-finals. Australia’s loss to England means they play in the 5th place semi-finals. New Zealand and South Africa qualified as pool winners with Argentina qualifying as the best second-placed team in the three pools.
South Africa versus Argentina – Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana
New Zealand versus France – Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana
Australia v Italy [5th place semi-finals] – Payanini Center, Verona
Where is it?
Rugby’s future stars will play matches across four cities in the Lombardia and Veneto regions of Italy – Calvisano, Rovigo, Verona and Viadana.
What are the dates?
The tournament runs from 29 June up to the final on 19 July.
[Matchday 1: Sunday, 29 June]
[Matchday 2: Friday, 4 July]
[Matchday 3: Wednesday, 9 July]
Matchday 4: Monday, 14 July – Semi-Finals and Qualifying Finals
Matchday 5: Saturday, 19 July
Click HERE for the World Rugby U20 official tournament website
The New Zealand Under 20 will face France in the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship.
The clash is a rematch of last year’s semi-final, where France claimed a 55–31 victory. Four players from that match, Stanley Solomon, Rico Simpson, Dylan Pledger and Mosese Bason, have been named in the starting line-up and will be eager to turn the tables this time around.
There are two changes to the team that defeated Ireland in the final round of pool play. Rico Simpson shifts from fullback to first five-eighth, with Stanley Solomon moving into the 15 jersey.
Up front, prop Sika Pole and lock Xavier Treacy retain their starting spots, continuing their streak of starting every match for New Zealand in 2025.
New Zealand Under 20 versus France:
1. Sika Pole, 2. Manumaua Letiu (c), 3. Robson Faleafā, 4. Xavier Treacy, 5. Jayden Sa, 6. Finn McLeod, 7. Caleb Woodley, 8. Mosese Bason (vc), 9. Dylan Pledger (vc), 10. Rico Simpson, 11. Maloni Kunawave, 12. Jack Wiseman, 13. Cooper Roberts, 14. Frank Vaenuku, 15. Stanley Solomon.
Replacements: 16. Eli Oudenryn, 17. Israel Time, 18. Dane Johnston, 19. Aisake Vakasiuola, 20. Micah Fale, 21. Jai Tamati, 22. Tayne Harvey, 23. Harlyn Saunoa.
After making a few rotational changes for their last Pool A match against Scotland, which the Junior Springboks won by 73-14 in Calvisano, Foote has selected mainly the same combination that defeated Australia and England in their first two group games.
For Monday’s important knockout match with Los Pumitas, Demitre Erasmus is back at outside centre after missing the England clash due to illness and coming off the bench against Scotland.
Jaco Williams is retained at left wing for his second start in a row since replacing Siya Ndlozi, who returned home with a hamstring injury sustained against England.
The Junior Bok pack remains the same as the combination that faced Australia and England, with Norton leading a starting team that have impressed with their physicality and ability to create plenty of scoring opportunities with their speedy outside backs.
However, Foote has opted for six forwards and two backs on the bench for the semi-final in a bid to use their explosive forwards and attack the Argentina pack, with No 8 Stephanus Linde now the extra forward among the replacements.
Foote said it was a tough task to select the team to face Argentina: “It was so difficult to leave out anybody because the players did so well against Scotland. My message to those who weren’t selected for the match-23 is to help us prepare the starting team as best as we can.”
According to Foote, Argentina’s forward prowess will be a huge test for the SA U20s, which is one of the reasons why he has decided to go with a six-two split on the bench.
“The Argentineans are very confrontational and physical, and they play with lots of passion,” he said. “We know we are in for a fight which is why we went for six forwards on the bench, because we have so much respect for them.”
Junior Springboks team to play Argentina:
15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Xola Nyali, 5 JJ Theron, 4 Riley Norton (captain), 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Simphiwe Ngobese
Replacements: 16 Jaundré Schoeman, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Dominic Malgas, 23 Stephanus Linde