GQEBERHA - Despite a nail-biting 29-29 draw, the Junior Springboks claimed their first SANZAAR Under-20 Rugby Championship title at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, dethroning New Zealand in the 2026 version of this highly entertaining tournament.
The Junior Boks needed only one log point from the contest to take the title and did that when Samuel Badenhorst crossed for their fourth try in the 41st minute.
They finished on 13 log points, with New Zealand second on eight.
Australia, who edged Argentina 32-30 in the earlier match, finished third and Los Pumitas, who beat New Zealand last Sunday, in fourth, with both earning seven log points.
The Junior Boks held a 22-15 lead at the break and looked to have the game locked in when they extended their lead to 29-15 with their fourth try, but New Zealand finished strong, keeping the huge crowd of 18,138 on the edge of their seats.