Overview
- The Junior Springboks defeated France U20 16-5 in the final in Tbilisi on Saturday to become the first South African U20 side to win consecutive Junior World Championship titles.
- Markus Muller scored the match’s decisive try and Yaqeen Ahmed added the conversion and three penalties to finish as South Africa’s primary scorer.
- The final was scrappy and tense, with South Africa conceding multiple penalties that gave France territory and momentum and left questions about recurring discipline during matches.
- Coach Kevin Foote made targeted squad changes for the final, shifting the loose trio and introducing Alzeadon Felix at fullback after Luan Giliomee’s suspension, reflecting active player management through the tournament.
- The team wore black armbands in memory of former SA Under-18 prop Luqobo Makwedini and the victory reinforces South Africa’s youth pathway while off-field reviews, including a prior junior-level doping matter, remain in process.