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.
The New Zealand Men’s 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New Zealand U20 team to play South Africa:
1. Henry Stuart (Highlanders, Otago)
2. Josh Findlay (Crusaders, Canterbury)
3. Dane Johnston (Chiefs, Taranaki)
4. Max Fale (Crusaders, Canterbury)
5. Jake Frost (Crusaders, Canterbury)
6. Finn McLeod (Crusaders, Canterbury)
7. Caleb Woodley (Blues, Auckland)
8. Patrick Mauga (Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay)
9. Charlie Sinton (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
10. Mika Muliaina (Highlanders, Southland)
11. Logan Williams (Crusaders, Canterbury)
12. Haki Wiseman (Chiefs, Taranaki)
13. Siale Pahulu (Blues, Auckland)
14. Oliver Guerin (Chiefs, Waikato)
15. Cohen Norrie (Blues, Auckland)
Replacements: 16. Jericho Wharehinga (Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay), 17. Ethan Webber (Highlanders, Otago), 18. Alexander Hewitt (Hurricanes, Wellington), 19. Johnny Falloon (Hurricanes, Wellington), 20. Micah Fale (Chiefs, Waikato), 21. Jackson Hughan (Highlanders, Southland), 22. David Lewai (Chiefs, Waikato), 23. Kobe Brownlee (Crusaders, Tasman)
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.
The 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.
South Africa currently top the standings on 10 points and require just a single log point from Saturday’s clash to clinch the U20 Rugby Championship title for the first time.
Despite New Zealand’s 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.
“For us in rugby, it doesn’t get better than South Africa versus New Zealand,” said Foote.
“They 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.
“We have huge respect for the New Zealanders and, like us, they will be highly motivated to end the tournament on a high.”
A 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.
“There is a unique energy that comes with playing in the Eastern Cape,” he said.
“We’ve 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.”
Looking ahead to the final round, Foote stressed that the team’s focus extends beyond silverware: “Our objective on Saturday is about more than just the trophy – it’s about our growth and continuing the journey we’ve started with this group.
“These two teams have a history of producing memorable encounters when they meet, and it’s every South African rugby player’s dream to stand facing the haka and take on New Zealand.”
Foote added that he was pleased with the team’s preparation for the clash: “We’ve 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,” he added.
Junior Springbok team to face NZ in Gqeberha:
15 Akahluwa Boqwana
14 Jack Benade
13 Samuel Badenhorst
12 Ethan Adams
11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga
10 Yaqeen Ahmed
9 Hendré Schoeman
8 Kebotile Maake
7 Wasi Vyambwera
6 Luke Canon
5 Riley Norton (captain)
4 Heinrich Theron
3 Danie Kruger
2 Liam van Wyk
1 Rambo Kubheka
Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 JD Hattingh, 20 Risima Khosa, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 Jade Muller
Australia U20 head coach Chris Whitaker has named his team to take on Argentina U20 in the final round of the 2026 Rugby Championship.
Whitaker has made eight changes from last week's defeat as the Aussies will look to end their tournament on a high.
The only change in the forwards is with Lock Kenneth Harris moving into the starting XV with Isaac Fonua shifting to the bench.
In the Backs, Scrumhalf Sam Blank, Flyhalf Jonty Fowler, Centre Josh Takai and Outside Backs Cooper Watters and Chayse Geros will get the start.
While Forwards Charlie Hollyman and Jasper Asi will get their first minutes in the 2026 Rugby Championship off the bench.
Queensland Reds Flyhalf Finn MacKay misses out due to a tight hamstring.
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.
Australia U20 v Argentina U20 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Australia U20 team list v Argentina U20:
1. Jacob Job
2. Ewald Kruger
3. Edwin Langi
4. Will Ross
5. Kenneth Harris
6. Luca Cleverley
7. Tom Robinson (c)
8. Eli Langi
9. Sam Blank
10. Jonty Fowler
11. Cooper Watters
12. Josh Takai
13. Leo Jaques
14. Taione Taka
15. Chayse Geros
Replacements: 16. Charlie Hollyman, 17. Nick Hill, 18. Jasper Asi, 19. Isaac Fonua, 20. Toby Brial, 21. Angus Grover, 22. Riley Whitfeld, 23. Louis Fenwicke
The Argentine U20 team will close its participation in the Rugby Championship on Saturday, May 9 against Australia. Regarding the team that beat New Zealand last week, Los Pumitas has made three changes in the starting XV: Benjamín Farias Cerioni for Fabrizio Cebron, captain Tomás Dande for Franco Marizza and Benjamín Ledesma Arocena in place of Bautista Quiroga Miguens.
1 FARIAS CERIONI, Benjamín (Universitario R.C – Unión de Rugby de Tucumán)
2 CUNEO CAMARGO, Manuel (San Juan R.C – 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 R.C – Unión Santafesina de Rugby)
6 DANDE, Tomás (Huirapuca R.C – Unión de Rugby de Tucumán) (C)
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 R.C – Unión de Rugby de Cuyo)
11 AVACA, Luciano (Tala R.C – 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)
14 LEDESMA AROCENA, Benjamín (SIC – URBA)
15 PFISTER, Simón (Tucumán R.C – Unión de Rugby de Tucumán)
Replacements: 16 CAMBIASSO, Nicolás (Buenos Aires – URBA), 17 CEBRON, Fabrizio (Regatas Bella Vista – URBA), 18 NARVÁEZ, Federico (Atlético del Rosario – Unión de Rugby de Rosario), 19 LATORRE, Toribio (CUBA – URBA), 20 MARIZZA, Franco (Paraná Rowing – Unión Entrerriana de Rugby), 21 ZABELLA, Ignacio (Universitario R.C – Unión de Rugby de Rosario), 22 FERNÁNDEZ, Ramón (Hindu – URBA), 23 GIANNANTONIO, Manuel (Tala R.C – Unión Cordobesa de Rugby)
