Baby Boks triumph over England in thrilling World U20 Championship match

The Junior Springboks started slowly in their World Rugby U2O Championship pool match against champions England in Rovigo, Italy on Friday night, before eventually settling into their stride and running out 32-22 winners.

The South African youngsters had no answers to an early England onslaught that yielded two tries, the first from fullback Josh Bellamy, who converted his own try, and the second from Connor Treacey (14-0).

But SA hit back with a spectacular score from the hot-stepping Cheswell Jooste, who burst through the England defensive line after a set move in midfield, and blew past a number of defenders to score. Jooste was a menace whenever he touched the ball.

Flyhalf Vusi Moyo kicked the conversion to make the score 12-7.

The Baby Boks were suddenly full of running, with scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who was pulling strings for SA at scrumhalf, starting and finishing an attacking move down the right wing for SA’s second try.

England were then gifted a try off a South African mistake close to their try line (19-12).

More silky touches and pace to burn by the SA backs put fullback Gilermo Mentoe over for the third SA try. Centre Cupido showed great vision and timing in the pass. Moyo landed the conversion to draw SA level (19-19).

Simply superb by the #JuniorBoks as they beat defending champions England with a bonus point in Rovigo – more here: https://t.co/TrnuOhvzMU 💪 #JourneyToGreatness #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/9qXm46wqTF

— SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) July 4, 2025

A late England penalty took the score to 22-19 at half-time.

Moyo’s boot drew SA level at the beginning of the second half before another monster penalty by the flyhalf gave the Baby Boks the lead for the first time (25-22).

There was more brilliance by Pead, who evaded tackles after collecting the ball at the base of a ruck outside the South African 22 and danced his way past the retreating England defence with a stutter step for his second try of the match. The extra two points took SA’s lead to 10 points (32-22)

The SA forwards were also coming into their own as the South Africans grew in confidence, winning a scrum penalty. The Baby Bok tackles also packed more ferocity, as did their rush defence.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, England were still in the contest, yet the momentum was clearly with the Baby Boks, who had thrashed Australia 73-13 in their first pool match.

A line-out steal from SA skipper and lock Riley Norton was crucial as England started to build some pressure.

A yellow card shown to Cupido for head-to-head contact in the tackle made for a nervy final 10 minutes for the Baby Boks. The 14 men did well to repel a huge England line-out drive, as well a late England attacking wave as they held on for a big bonus-point win.