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The Herald
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Junior Boks book first U-20 world champs final spot since 2014
The Junior Springboks booked their spot in the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship, having to work hard for their 48-24 semifinal victory (half time 28-10) over Argentina on a hot and humid Stadio Luigi Zaffanella in Viadana in Italy on Monday night. Six tries to three tells a story of its own, but it was far from a perfect performance and the South African U-20s will realise they have a lot of hard work ahead before Saturday's decider, with their discipline one of the areas that will need attention. It's the Junior Boks' first final in the competition since 2014, and while they showed true grit on defence against a gutsy Argentina, the two yellow cards and 16 penalties conceded will need attention as they prepare to face New Zealand in Rovigo on Saturday evening. The Baby Blacks beat France in their semifinal. The semifinal started like two boxers feeling each other out, trading jabs but not inflicting much damage, until the Junior Boks exploded into life with two heavy body blows in two minutes. From a scrum free-kick close the Pumitas' try line, scrumhalf Haashim Pead took a quick tap, attacked the space and put centre Albie Bester away for the first try of the match in the ninth minute, with flyhalf Vusi Moyo adding the extras. From the restart, Pead finished after barnstorming flanker Batho Hlekani burst through the Argentinian defence and fed No 8 Wandile Mlaba, who made good ground before he put the quicksilver scrumhalf away for his sixth try of the tournament. Moyo's conversion made it 14-0 and in a blink, the Junior Boks had taken control. Argentina clawed three points back with a 14th minute penalty goal, but shortly thereafter wing Jaco Williams scored a fortuitous try after chasing a clever chip by Moyo into space, with the bounce beating the Pumitas cover into the hands of the South African speedster. Moyo converted and at 21-3, the Junior Boks were firmly in control. Six minutes later it was 28-3 as lock JJ Theron drove over from short range after a strong line-out drive by the South Africans. But Argentina clawed their way back into the game, as the South Africans started to make mistakes and conceding penalties that saw the momentum swing. When prop Simphiwe Ngobese was yellow-carded for a professional foul, the Pumitas took their chance and scored their first try, by Agustín Garcia Campos from a line-out drive, to make it 28-10 at the break. Argentina started the second half on the front foot and as Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote brought on a five-forward Bomb Squad, the Pumitas scored their second try, by wing Timoteo Silva to make it an 11-point game with half an hour to go. The Junior Bok replacements started to come into the game as two Moyo penalty goals followed by Bester's second try, from a midfield turnover after a good run by his midfield partner Demitre Erasmus, increased South Africa's lead to 41-17 on the hour mark. Forced to defend for most of the final 20 minutes, the Junior Boks did very well to keep waves of Argentinian attacks at bay, and though the Pumitas' replacement back Ramon Fernandez Miranda scored in the 73rd minute, it wasn't enough. The South Africans showed glimpses of what they can do though as they closed the game out with a superb try by wing Cheswill Jooste, which started on their own try line, to ensure their title aspirations remain alive with one game to go in Italy. Scorers Junior Springboks 48 (28) — Tries: Albie Bester (2), Haashim Pead, Jaco Williams, JJ Theron, Cheswill Jooste. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (5), Dominic Malgas. Penalty goals: Moyo (2). Argentina 24 (10) — Tries: Agustín Garcia Campos, Timoteo Silva, Ramon Fernandez Miranda. Conversions: Rafael Benedit (2), Pascal Senillosa. Penalty goal: Benedit. SA Rugby media
The Herald
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Mnebelele, Junior Boks know what's coming in U-20 semi against Argentina
On Monday evening they face fellow southern-hemisphere rivals Argentina at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana (8.30pm Italy and SA time) for a spot in the 2025 final. Hooker Mnebelele recalled how he and flyhalf Moyo dreamed of higher honours while enjoying their schoolboy rugby days. 'We spoke the other day about how we often said to each other how great it would be to, when we are older, achieve national honours for the country,' said Mnebelele, whose nickname is 'Esethu'. 'Vusi and I have been playing together since our early high-school days for the Golden Lions and last year we both played for the SA Schools side, as well as the SA U-18 team. Now here we are, playing together for the Junior Boks, which is a dream come true. Playing for the Junior Boks is a huge honour and something we don't take for granted.' The soft-spoken Mnebelele and Moyo are part of the South Africa U-20 leadership group in Italy. Looking forward to the all-important semifinal against Argentina, the hard-working hooker said they know what to expect from the South Americans.
RNZ News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Junior All Blacks into World Cup final
All Blacks haka, New Zealand 2025 World Rugby Under 20 World Championships. Photo: © World Rugby 2025 / PHOTOSPORT New Zealand is through to the final of the men's Under-20 Rugby World Cup in Italy. The Junior All Blacks beat France 34-26 in a tense semi-final in Viadana. New Zealand were ahead 24-19 at half time after tries to Stanley Solomon, Mosese Bason and Jack Wiseman. However, they had to spend much of the second half on defence and were not helped by yellow cards. Both centre Jack Wiseman and wing Frank Vaenuku spent time on the sidelines and France capitalised with their fourth try of the game. However, the Junior All Blacks responded after a strong surge by the forwards with lock Aisake Vakasiuola touching down next to the post. They were then able to hold on to the final whistle. First five Rico Simpson kicked four conversions and two penalties. "We talked about this game being our final," halfback and vice-captain Dylan Pledger said. "I think the boys played it like a final out there and now we've got one more game to go." South Africa meet Argentina in the other semi-final later this morning. New Zealand has won the Under-20 title six times with their last in 2017. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ireland fall to Italy in U20 World Championship thriller
Ireland fell to a dramatic 18-16 defeat by hosts Italy in the second Pool C game in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Viadana. Italy, who lost their opener to New Zealand, took the lead after 12 minutes when number eight Nelson Casartelli went in for the game's first try. Irish fly-half Tom Wood's penalty reduced the deficit, but Edoardo Todaro's reply gave the Italians an 8-3 half-time lead. A second penalty from Wood's boot again narrowed the gap to two points, but Italy extended their lead to 15-6 when lock Pierro Gritti grounded at the end of a driving maul. But after Casartelli was yellow carded, replacement Irish hooker Mikey Yarr finished in the corner to give Neil Doak's side renewed hope despite a missed conversion attempt. With Ireland second row Billy Corrigan sent to the bin, another Todaro penalty put Italy 18-11 ahead with less than 10 minutes remaining. Ireland - who beat Georgia in their first game - refused to give in and scored their second try through 19-year-old replacement back row Oisin Minogue. However, Sam Wisniewski missed his conversion attempt to earn a dramatic draw with the last kick of the game to spark jubilant scenes for the home side at Stadio Luigi earned a losing bonus point, Ireland sit on six points, three adrift of Pool C leaders New Zealand, who they face on Wednesday. Italy are on four points, two ahead of Georgia. The winners of each pool and the best second-ranked team will qualify for the semi-finals.
Irish Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Ireland under-20s suffer hammer blow in world championship bid with defeat to Italy
World Rugby Under-20 Championship Pool C: Italy 18 Ireland 16 Ireland suffered a hammer blow in their bid to reach the semi-final stage of the World Rugby under-20 Championship after they fell to an agonising defeat at the hands of Italy in Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana last night. Added to the bench after Bobby Power was drafted into the starting line-up to replace Michael Foy at the 11th hour, Oisin Minogue crashed over the Italian whitewash in second half stoppage-time to leave Ireland with a last-gasp opportunity to claim a hard-earned draw against the tournament hosts. However, Sam Wisniewski's resulting conversion was wide of the target and while Ireland remain second in Pool C, the pressure is now on ahead of their meeting with pacesetters New Zealand in Calvisano next Wednesday. Ireland were seeking to make amends for a 15-12 defeat to Italy at Treviso in the final round of this year's under-20 Six Nations and they displayed early defensive grit by holding out their opponents as they attempted to cross over from a lineout maul. Ireland looked set to receive a let-off when opposition outhalf Roberto Fasti couldn't find touch off an 11th minute penalty, only for errors from both Charlie Molony and Paidi Farrell to immediately provide Italy with another platform inside the '22'. The hosts were able to go a step further on this occasion as the ensuing set-piece move found its way into the hands of bustling number 8 Nelson Casartelli, who proceeded to burst over the line in clinical style. READ MORE Ireland's Ciarán Mangan on the ball. Photograph: Sebastiano Pessina/Inpho This powerful finish was followed by a badly miscued bonus strike from Fasti and when outhalf Tom Wood (son of legendary former Irish international Keith Wood) was presented with a kickable opportunity on 25 minutes, the Munster prospect drilled the ball between the posts to reduce his side's deficit to two points. Try-scoring chances were few and far between in the opening period, but after winning the penalty himself thanks to superb work at the breakdown, Italian fullback Edoardo Todaro was successful off the kicking tee in the 36th minute. This ensured the Azzurri brought an 8-3 cushion into the second period, but Ireland were back within two on 52 minutes as a result of Wood splitting the uprights off a penalty that was positioned to the right of the posts. This kept the Eanna McCarthy-led Irish within touching distance, but Italy subsequently put themselves in the driving seat when second row Piero Gritti rounded off a ferocious attacking maul with a converted try. However, just when it looked like the game was drifting away from Ireland, they were given a lifeline when Casartelli was yellow-carded for a head high tackle on Molony. The 14-man Italians were placed on the back foot straight away and after Billy Corrigan had gathered a lineout delivery, McCarthy and Will Wootton combined to good effect before replacement hooker Mikey Yarr dived over in the right-corner for an unconverted effort. Momentum appeared to be with Ireland at this stage, but Corrigan was sent to the sinbin on 71 minutes – just as Casartelli was preparing himself for a return to the field of play. This paved the way for Todaro to slot over his second penalty of the contest and though Minogue bagged a five-pointer at the end of a relentless attacking spell, Wisniewski couldn't find the range from a right-hand angle as Ireland came up just short. Scorers – Italy: N Casartelli, P Gritti try each, E Todaro 2 pens, con. Ireland: M Yarr, O Minogue try each, T Wood 2 pen. ITALY: E Todaro; A Drago, F Zanandrea, R Casarin, J Ducros; R Fasti, N Beni; S Pelliccioli, N Corvasce, N Bolognini; M Midena, P Gritti; G Milano, C Bianchi, N Casartelli. Replacements: L Trevisan for Bolognini, E Opoku Gyamfi for Midena, A Caiolo-Serra for Corvasce, S Mistrulli for Pelliccioli all 54 mins; A Miranda for Bianchi, 57 mins; R Ioannucci for Drago, 62 mins; G Pietramala for Ducros, 68 mins; M Bellotto for Beni, 74 mins. IRELAND: C Molony; P Farrell, C Mangan, E Smyth, D Moloney; T Wood, W Wootton; A Usanov, H Walker, A Mullan; M Ronan, B Corrigan; B Power, E McCarthy, L Murphy. Replacements: C Kennelly for Ronan, 49 mins; M Yarr for Walker, B Bohan for Usanov, T McAllister for Mullan, all 53 mins; S Wisniewski for Wood, 60 mins; O Minogue for Power, 62 mins; C Logan for Wootton, 64 mins; Walker for Yarr, 79 mins. Referee: B Breakspear (Wales).
