France and South Africa are the two finalists of the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship. In Tbilisi, Georgia, the two sides ended the title hopes of New Zealand and England respectively in Monday's semi-finals on 13 July, earning the right to contest the trophy in Saturday's final.
Les Bleus edged New Zealand 26-22 thanks to a late try from Adrien Drault that sent France through. It will be the first time that France, this year's U20 Six Nations winners, and South Africa, the U20 Rugby Championship winners, meet in the junior final: Les Bleuets are chasing a fourth title, while the Junior Springboks are bidding to defend the crown they won in Italy last year.
In the second semi-final the holders overpowered England 53-37 in a match that produced two red cards. England flanker Seb Kelly was sent off in the 32nd minute for a headbutt on Luan Giliomee when England led 17-7; they went into the break 20-12 ahead, but South Africa made their numerical advantage count with five second-half tries to claim a 10th successive Junior World Championship victory.