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Defence went out the window as both teams focused on playing the most attacking rugby they could.
South Africa and New Zealand’s U20 teams put on a show of attacking rugby in their match in Gqeberha on Sunday. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
The Junior All Blacks beat the young Springboks 48-45 in a thrilling final match of the 2025 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha on Sunday to retain the title they won in the inaugural competition last year.
In total, 15 tries were scored in a match that will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it.
New Zealand went unbeaten in the competition. They drew with Australia and also beat Argentina, while South Africa opened with a win against Argentina, but then lost to Australia and New Zealand.
Riley Norton’s Junior Boks raced into an almost unbelievable 19-0 lead after just 13 minutes thanks to tries by centre Albie Bester, prop Simphiwe Ngobese and hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele.
The Boks were well on top and in charge, but the “Baby All Blacks” showed tremendous composure to fight back in style with two tries of their own in the space of eight minutes midway through the half. Both were scored by Harlyn Saunoa.
But the ding-dong battle was just getting going.
South Africa’s left wing Gino Cupido crossed for his team’s fourth try in the 28th minute before the men from New Zealand again scored two tries in quick succession, through captain and hooker Manumaua Letiu and Saunoa, his third in the first half.
After a thrilling first half, just two points separated the teams at the break.
More second half thrills
And the action continued unabated after the resumption, with the Junior All Blacks scoring a further two tries to rock the hosts.
Wandile Mlaba, the Junior Boks’ No 8, though pulled one back for the South Africans, but before the home team could do any celebrating, the New Zealanders scored again, their seventh try, to go 43-31 up.
Mlaba was at it again though a few minutes later, getting his second and his team’s sixth try of the game in the 57th minute. Just five points separated the teams going into the final quarter.
Right wing Maloni Kunawave then scored his second try of the game, diving in spectacularly in the corner; the Junior All Blacks going 48-38 up.
But with five minutes to go, the Junior Boks were awarded a penalty try for New Zealand collapsing a driving maul, with a player also sent to the sin-bin. Just a few minutes earlier the Junior All Blacks had also lost a man to a red card for a dangerous tackle, so they were down to 13 for the final few minutes.
Earlier Sunday, Australia beat Argentina 40-36.
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