France and South Africa will contest the 2026 World Rugby U20 Championship final after their respective semi-final victories in Tbilisi on Monday, 13 July, ended the title hopes of New Zealand and England.
Les Bleuets secured their place in the decider through a late try by Adrien Drault, who touched down to seal a 26-22 win over New Zealand. The narrow margin, built in the closing stages, sends France into a third consecutive final and keeps alive their pursuit of a fourth title.
In the second semi-final, the Junior Springboks overwhelmed England 53-37 in a match that produced two red cards. England lost flanker Seb Kelly to a 32nd-minute permanent dismissal for a headbutt on Luan Giliomee and were reduced to 14 men; Giliomee himself was later sent off for dangerous aerial contact. Despite an early lead (17-7 and 20-12 at half-time), England could not resist South Africa's numerical advantage as the Junior Springboks ran in five second-half tries to claim a 10th successive victory in the tournament.