The 2026 title has come down to the third and final round once again, with New Zealand and South Africa playing each other to determine the winner.<\/p>\n
The New Zealand Men\u2019s U20 team has been named for their final match of the Under 20 Rugby Championship, where they will play hosts South Africa in Gqerberha, Port Elizabeth.<\/p>\n
Head Coach Kane Jury has made nine personnel changes to the team that started the second match of the tournament and a further six in the reserves.<\/p>\n
Two positional changes to the starting fifteen see loose forward Finn McLeod move from No.8 to blindside flanker and Oliver Guerin shifts from centre back to the right wing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the forward pack, there are five changes to the starting line-up. Henry Stuart and Dane Johnston named at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, Max Fale at lock, Caleb Woodley at openside and Patrick Mauga starting in the No.8 jersey.<\/p>\n
In the backs, Logan Williams is selected to start on the left wing and Siale Pahulu at centre , completing the changes to the starting line-up.<\/p>\n
The New Zealand U20s opened their defence of the Under 20 Rugby Championship title with a 34-29 win over Australia, before losing 25-17 to Argentina. They need to beat South Africa to have a chance of retaining the title, while denying the host nation a bonus point.\u00a0<\/p>\n
New Zealand U20 team to play South Africa:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 Henry Stuart (Highlanders, Otago)
\n\t2.\u00a0 Josh Findlay (Crusaders, Canterbury)\u00a0
\n\t3.\u00a0 Dane Johnston (Chiefs, Taranaki)
\n\t4.\u00a0 Max Fale (Crusaders, Canterbury)
\n\t5.\u00a0 Jake Frost (Crusaders, Canterbury)\u00a0
\n\t6.\u00a0 Finn McLeod (Crusaders, Canterbury)
\n\t7.\u00a0 Caleb Woodley (Blues, Auckland)
\n\t8.\u00a0 Patrick Mauga (Hurricanes, Hawke\u2019s Bay)
\n\t9.\u00a0 Charlie Sinton\u00a0(Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
\n\t10. Mika Muliaina\u00a0(Highlanders, Southland)
\n\t11. Logan Williams (Crusaders, Canterbury)
\n\t12. Haki Wiseman\u00a0(Chiefs, Taranaki)
\n\t13. Siale Pahulu (Blues, Auckland)
\n\t14. Oliver Guerin (Chiefs, Waikato)
\n\t15. Cohen Norrie\u00a0(Blues, Auckland)<\/p>\n
Replacements:\u00a016. Jericho Wharehinga (Hurricanes, Hawke\u2019s Bay), 17.\u00a0Ethan Webber (Highlanders, Otago), 18.\u00a0Alexander Hewitt (Hurricanes, Wellington), 19.\u00a0Johnny Falloon\u00a0(Hurricanes, Wellington), 20.\u00a0Micah Fale\u00a0(Chiefs, Waikato), 21.\u00a0Jackson Hughan (Highlanders, Southland), 22.\u00a0David Lewai (Chiefs, Waikato), 23.\u00a0Kobe Brownlee (Crusaders, Tasman)<\/p>\n
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has opted for continuity for their Under-20 Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand on Saturday, making just one change to the matchday squad for the final encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
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\n\tThe only adjustment to the team that defeated Australia last weekend is on the replacements bench, where loose forward Risima Khosa returns in place of Gert Kemp in an otherwise settled squad.
\n\t\u00a0
\n\tSouth Africa currently top the standings on 10 points and require just a single log point from Saturday\u2019s clash to clinch the U20 Rugby Championship title for the first time.
\n\t\u00a0
\n\tDespite New Zealand\u2019s recent stumble against Argentina, Foote believes the rivalry with the Kiwis remains the ultimate challenge for any South African rugby player, and feels the stage is set for another classic encounter between the two traditional rivals in the Friendly City.
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\n\t\u201cFor us in rugby, it doesn\u2019t get better than South Africa versus New Zealand,\u201d said Foote.
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\n\t\u201cThey are our greatest rivals and the opportunity to play them in front of the Gqeberha crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a privilege for everyone involved with the Junior Boks.
\n\t\u00a0
\n\t\u201cWe have huge respect for the New Zealanders and, like us, they will be highly motivated to end the tournament on a high.\u201d
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\n\tA combined total of more than 20,000 supporters attended the opening two rounds at the NMB Stadium, prompting Foote to emphasise the impact of home support.
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\n\t\u201cThere is a unique energy that comes with playing in the Eastern Cape,\u201d he said.
\n\t\u00a0
\n\t\u201cWe\u2019ve felt the passion from the Gqeberha crowd since we arrived here two weeks ago and having that passionate support behind us means a great deal to the team.\u201d
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\n\tLooking ahead to the final round, Foote stressed that the team\u2019s focus extends beyond silverware: \u201cOur objective on Saturday is about more than just the trophy \u2013 it\u2019s about our growth and continuing the journey we\u2019ve started with this group.
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\n\t\u201cThese two teams have a history of producing memorable encounters when they meet, and it\u2019s every South African rugby player\u2019s dream to stand facing the haka and take on New Zealand.\u201d
\n\t\u00a0
\n\tFoote added that he was pleased with the team\u2019s preparation for the clash: \u201cWe\u2019ve had a good week of preparation. The players are excited for this massive challenge, and the staff have done a tremendous job in keeping the group close-knit and in a very positive space. Gqeberha is a wonderful venue to host an international tournament such as the U20 Rugby Championship, and the people of the Eastern Cape have been outstanding hosts. We hope to repay that support with a quality performance against our greatest rivals on Saturday,\u201d he added.
\n\t\u00a0
\n\tJunior Springbok team to face NZ in Gqeberha:<\/p>\n
15 \u2060Akahluwa Boqwana
\n\t14 \u2060Jack Benade
\n\t13 \u2060Samuel Badenhorst
\n\t12 \u2060Ethan Adams
\n\t11\u2060 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga
\n\t10 \u2060Yaqeen Ahmed
\n\t9 \u2060Hendr\u00e9 Schoeman
\n\t8\u2060 Kebotile Maake
\n\t7\u2060 Wasi Vyambwera
\n\t6 \u2060Luke Canon
\n\t5 \u2060Riley Norton (captain)
\n\t4\u2060 Heinrich Theron
\n\t3 \u2060Danie Kruger
\n\t2 \u2060Liam van Wyk
\n\t1 Rambo Kubheka<\/p>\n
Replacements: 16 \u2060Mahle Sithole, 17 \u2060Oliver Reid, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 \u2060JD Hattingh, 20 Risima Khosa, 21 \u2060Jayden Brits, 22 \u2060Vusi Moyo, 23 \u2060Jade Muller<\/p>\n
Australia U20 head coach Chris Whitaker has named his team to take on Argentina U20 in the final round of the 2026 Rugby Championship.<\/p>\n
Whitaker has made eight changes from last week’s defeat as the Aussies will look to end their tournament on a high.<\/p>\n
The only change in the forwards is with Lock Kenneth Harris moving into the starting XV with Isaac Fonua shifting to the bench.<\/p>\n
In the Backs, Scrumhalf Sam Blank, Flyhalf Jonty Fowler, Centre Josh Takai and Outside Backs Cooper Watters and Chayse Geros will get the start.<\/p>\n
While Forwards Charlie Hollyman and Jasper Asi will get their first minutes in the 2026 Rugby Championship off the bench.<\/p>\n
Queensland Reds Flyhalf Finn MacKay misses out due to a tight hamstring.<\/p>\n
Australia can finish as high as second place with a win over the Pumitas and results going their way in the New Zealand v South Africa match.<\/p>\n
Australia U20 v Argentina U20 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium<\/p>\n
Australia U20 team list v Argentina U20:
\n\t1. Jacob Job
\n\t2. Ewald Kruger\u00a0
\n\t3. Edwin Langi
\n\t4. Will Ross
\n\t5. Kenneth Harris
\n\t6. Luca Cleverley
\n\t7. Tom Robinson (c)
\n\t8. Eli Langi
\n\t9. Sam Blank
\n\t10. Jonty Fowler
\n\t11. Cooper Watters
\n\t12. Josh Takai
\n\t13. Leo Jaques
\n\t14. Taione Taka
\n\t15. Chayse Geros<\/p>\n
Replacements:\u00a016. Charlie Hollyman, 17. Nick Hill, 18. Jasper Asi, 19. Isaac Fonua, 20. Toby Brial, 21. Angus Grover, 22. Riley Whitfeld, 23. Louis Fenwicke<\/p>\n
Argentina team TBA
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