Round 3 will determine the knockout stages of the Championships in Georgia but after two rounds South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia all top their pools. However, the top two teams in the four pools now play each other in this final round of pool matches.
Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made six changes to the starting XV and two more on the bench for Tuesday’s crucial Junior World Championship Pool A clash against Wales at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi.
Four of the changes to the run-on side that defeated Georgia at the same venue last Thursday are in the backline. Alzeadon Felix moves from the bench to start at fullback in place of Akahluwa Boqwana, while Ethan Adams returns from injury to take over at inside centre from Markus Muller.
Muller is set to enter the action off the bench as one of the three back replacements, while at left wing, Jack Benade makes way for Khuthadzo Rasivhaga.
Yaqeen Ahmed is also back in the fold after serving his suspension and will start at flyhalf in place of Luan Giliomee, who suffered a concussion against Georgia and is currently completing the graduated return-to-play protocols, making him unavailable for selection.
The two changes among the forwards see Risima Khosa come into the starting lineup at loose forward, with Gert Kemp providing impact from the bench. Vuyo Gwiji got the nod over Kebotile Maake at No 8.
Junior Bok team to face Wales in Tbilisi:
15 Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
14 Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls)
13 Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Stormers)
12 Ethan Adams (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
10 Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers)
9 Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls)
8 Vuyo Gwiji (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
7 Luke Cannon (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
6 Risima Khosa (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
5 JD Hattingh (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
4 Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls)
3 Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers)
2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (captain, Vodacom Bulls)
1 Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers)
Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 17 Rambo Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 18 Luan van der Berg (Vodacom Bulls), 19 Jaythen Orange (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), 20 Gert Kemp (DHL Stormers), 21 Jayden Brits (DHL Stormers), 22 Markus Müller (DHL Stormers), 23 Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Stormers)
The Argentina U20 [Pumitas] and England will meet in a crucial Pool C match on Tuesday, July 7 at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia.
To face the England team, Nicolás Fernández Miranda, head coach of the youth team, has selcted the same 23 players who thrashed Ireland.
It is worth noting that the winner of the match will qualify for the semifinals, since the best of each group get their ticket for that instance. For their part, the second will compete from fifth to eighth place.
Los Pumitas team to play England:
1 FARÍAS CERIONI, Benjamín (Universitario RC – Unión de Rugby de Tucumán)
2 CUNEO CAMARGO, Manuel (San Juan RC – Unión Sanjuanina de Rugby)
3 SALINAS MALLEA, Bautista (Los Tordos R.C – Unión de Rugby de Cuyo)
4 PASCUAL VIALE, Joaquín (Alumni – URBA)
5 BENAVIDES, Bautista (Santa Fe RC – Unión Santafesina de Rugby)
6 DANDE, Tomás (Huirapuca R.C – Unión de Rugby de Tucumán) (captain)
7 SORONDO, Jerónimo (Belgrano Athletic – URBA)
8 TORRE, Federico (Córdoba Athletic – Unión Cordobesa de Rugby)
9 PREUMAYR, Juan (Jockey Club de Rosario – Unión de Rugby de Rosario)
10 SERPA, Federico (Los Tordos RC – Unión de Rugby de Cuyo)
11 AVACA, Luciano (Tala RC – Unión Cordobesa de Rugby)
12 ORDIZ, Benjamín (Los Caranchos – Unión de Rugby de Rosario)
13 COLL, Pedro (Tigres R.C – Unión de Rugby de Salta) (vice-captain)
14 LESCANO, Bautista (CAE – Unión Entrerriana de Rugby)
15 PFISTER, Simón (Tucumán RC – Unión de Rugby de Tucumán)
Replacements: 16 CAMBIASSO, Nicolás (Buenos Aires – URBA), 17 CEBRON, Fabrizio (Regatas de Bella Vista – URBA), 18 NARVÁEZ, Federico (Atlético del Rosario – Unión de Rugby de Rosario), 19 HYGONENQ, Felipe (Alumni – URBA), 20 CAÑAS, Basilio (CAE – Unión Entrerriana de Rugby), 21 REGGIARDO, Valentino (Deportiva Francesa – URBA), 22 GIANNANTONIO, Manuel (Tala RC – Unión Cordobesa de Rugby), 23 FERNÁNDEZ, Ramón (Hindu – URBA)
Australia U20 coach Chris Whitaker has named French-based Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe and Lehopoame Leota to start against Six Nations champions France at AIA Arena, Kutaisi on Tuesday 4 July..
It comes with the winner set to advance to the semi-finals of the Junior World Championship, with both teams defeating Fiji and Spain.
It’s the first start for Castres front-rower Swerling-Finaipepe, missing last week’s win over Spain due to shoulder soreness. As for Racing 92 product Leota, he retains the starting spot in the front-row alongside Ewald Kruger.
Flyhalf Finn Mackay is set to overcome a finger injury that forced him off early, with Angus Grover back in the starting side.
Sevens star Cooper Watters replaces Taione Taka (concussion) on the wing, with the rest of the midfield and outside backs settled.
Jacob Job and Isaac Fonua revert back to a finishing role, while Riley Whitfeld is set for his Junior World Championship debut after joining the squad for Chayse Geros.
Australia U20 team to play France U20:
1. Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe
2. Ewald Kruger
3. Lehopoame Leota
4. William Ross
5. Toby Brial
6. Luca Cleverley
7. Tom Robinson (c)
8. Eli Langi
9. Angus Grover
10. Finn Mackay
11. Cooper Watters
12. Treyvon Pritchard
13. Zach Fittler
14. Tom Farr-Jones
15. Wallace Charlie
Replacements: 16. John Grenfell, 17. Jacob Job, 18. Edwin Langi, 19. Isaac Fonua, 20. TJ Talaileva, 21. Sam Blank, 22. Charlie Bird, 23. Riley Whitfeld
New Zealand Under 20s Head Coach Kane Jury has named his team to play Italy in the final pool round of the 2026 Under 20 Junior World Championship.
There are seven changes to the side that defeated Scotland 36-26 in round two.
The starting forward pack remains unchanged after an impressive performance against Scotland, where New Zealand scored five tries to secure a bonus-point victory.
Oliver Guerin will make his first start of the tournament on the right wing, while Logan Williams moves into the starting line up on the left wing. Siale Pahulu and David Lewai combine in the midfield.
Five new players come onto the bench, with Xavier Leota, James Moore, Finn McLeod, Boston Krone and Lautasi Etuale rounding out the matchday 23.
The New Zealand Under 20s team to play Italy:
1. Henry Stuart (Highlanders/Otago)
2. Josh Findlay (Crusaders/Canterbury)
3. Ethan Webber (Highlanders/Otago)
4. Max Fale (Crusaders/Canterbury)
5. Jake Frost (Crusaders/Canterbury)
6. Bradley Tocker (Chiefs/Taranaki)
7. Caleb Woodley (vc) (Blues/Auckland)
8. Patrick Mauga (Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay)
9. Charlie Sinton (c) (Chiefs/Bay of Plenty)
10. Mika Muliaina (Highlanders/Southland)
11. Logan Williams (Crusaders/Canterbury)
12. Siale Pahulu (Blues/Auckland)
13. David Lewai (Chiefs/Waikato)
14. Oliver Guerin (Chiefs/Waikato)
15. Cohen Norrie (Blues/Auckland)
Replacments: Xavier Leota (Blues/Auckland), James Moore (Crusaders/Canterbury), Dane Johnston (Chiefs/Taranaki), Finn McLeod (Crusaders/Canterbury), Micah Fale (Chiefs/Waikato), Boston Krone (Blues/Auckland), Lautasi Etuale (Crusaders/Canterbury), Kobe Brownlee (Crusaders/Tasman)