South Africa won the World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026 by defeating France 16-5 in the final on Saturday 18 July at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, becoming the first South African team to win back-to-back titles.
The final, delayed by 45 minutes due to lightning in the area around the stadium, was a tactical and physical battle. South Africa led 6-0 at half-time through two penalties from fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed (9' and 40'). In the second half, France responded and scored a try in the 46th minute through Raphael Audebert, who was set up by Baptiste Tilloles' excellent long pass. Luka Keletaona failed to convert, leaving the score at 6-5.
The decisive moment came with 13 minutes remaining: centre Markus Muller broke through the French defence to score the try that broke the deadlock. Ahmed converted, making it 13-5, and later added another penalty to seal the 16-5 victory.
