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The South Africa national under-20 rugby union team (nicknamed the Junior Boks or the Baby Boks) are South Africa’s junior team at national level. They have been competing in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship (formerly the IRB Junior World Championship) since its inception in 2008. This Under-20 tournament replaced the previously-held Under-19 and Under-21 Rugby World Championships. Prior to 2018, it had been the country’s “next senior” (second-level) 15-man national side, but World Rugby no longer allows member unions to designate age-grade sides as “next senior” teams. The Junior Boks also compete in the U20 Rugby Championship which first started in 2024. ^[4] The Junior Boks are currently the holders of both the World Rugby U20 Championship and the U20 Rugby Championship. ^[5] They were also named the unanimous winners of the 2026 Under-20 International Series which was hosted in South Africa in May 2026. ^[6]

On 21 May 2026, The Junior Springboks “ripped through their opponents’ defence”, after defeating the Chile U20 side 97-00 at the 2026 U20 International series, tying their largest winning margin which was previously against the USA U20 side which they won 97-00 as well back in 2013. ^[7]

Below shows the South African Under-20’s head-to-head record against other national teams in all U20 formats since inception.

South Africa U20 have played a total of 109 different U20 International matches since 2008. The Baby boks have played against 19 different nations, recording 80 wins, 3 draws and 26 defeats, giving them an overall win percentage of 73%.

*Stats correct as of 15 June 2026

Opposition	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	% W
Argentina	17	12	0	5	559	399	+160	71%
Australia	7	4	0	3	285	147	+138	57%
Chile	1	1	0	0	97	0	+97	100%
England	17	7	0	10	385	420	-35	41%
Fiji	4	4	0	0	279	59	+220	100%
France	9	6	1	2	278	226	+52	67%
Georgia	9	9	0	0	379	113	+266	100%
Ireland	6	4	0	2	193	136	+57	67%
Italy	4	3	0	1	176	45	+131	75%
Japan	1	1	0	0	59	19	+40	100%
Kenya	2	2	0	0	117	43	+74	100%
Namibia XV	2	2	0	0	142	30	+112	100%
New Zealand	11	7	2	2	310	287	+23	64%
Samoa	3	3	0	0	77	27	+50	100%
Scotland	6	6	0	0	355	41	+314	100%
Tonga	1	1	0	0	40	14	+26	100%
United States	2	2	0	0	205	18	+187	100%
Uruguay	1	1	0	0	29	10	+19	100%
Wales	6	5	0	1	226	130	+96	83%
Total	109	80	3	26	4,195	2,169	+2,026	73%

The table below shows the combined statistics of the Junior Boks results by year:

*Stats correct as of 15 June 2026

South Africa U20 All Time Record
Year	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	W%
2008	5	4	0	1	257	76	+181	80%
2009	5	4	0	1	197	85	+112	80%
2010	5	3	0	2	182	114	+68	60%
2011	5	4	0	1	256	84	+172	80%
2012	5	4	0	1	156	60	+196	80%
2013	6	5	0	1	309	122	+187	83%
2014	5	4	0	1	167	83	+84	80%
2015	7	6	0	1	234	122	+112	86%
2016	5	2	0	3	148	157	-9	40%
2017	5	3	1	1	192	90	+102	60%
2018	7	5	0	2	230	169	+61	71%
2019	10	7	0	3	348	210	+138	70%
2020	No results due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021	4	4	0	0	131	45	+86	100%
2022	4	4	0	0	152	100	+52	100%
2023	5	3	0	2	117	119	-2	60%
2024	8	3	1	4	214	185	+29	38%
2025	10	8	0	2	471	237	+234	80%
2026	8	7	1	0	439	111	+328	72%
Total	109	80	3	26	4,195	2,169	+2,026	73%

The following table summarises South Africa Under-20’s head-to-head record against other national teams in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship. The Junior Springboks have historically been one of the strongest sides in the competition, regularly advancing to the knockout stages and claiming the title on multiple occasions in 2012 & 2025..

South Africa have played 75 matches in the tournament against 15 different nations, recording 53 wins, 1 draw and 21 defeats, giving them an overall win percentage of 71%. Their strongest records are against Fiji, Georgia, Scotland, Samoa, Tonga, Japan and the United States, against whom they maintain unbeaten records. Their most frequently played opponent is England, while they also share a long-standing competitive rivalry with New Zealand at Under-20 level.

*Stats correct as of 12 June 2026

Opposition	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	% W
Argentina	9	5	0	4	288	206	+82	56%
Australia	4	3	0	1	186	77	+109	75%
England	14	5	0	9	321	351	-30	36%
Fiji	3	3	0	0	197	34	+163	100%
France	8	5	1	2	236	199	+37	63%
Georgia	4	4	0	0	152	84	+68	100%
Ireland	5	3	0	2	160	112	+48	60%
Italy	4	3	0	1	176	45	+131	75%
Japan	1	1	0	0	59	19	+40	100%
New Zealand	8	7	0	1	223	197	+26	88%
Samoa	3	3	0	0	77	27	+50	100%
Scotland	6	6	0	0	355	41	+314	100%
Tonga	1	1	0	0	40	14	+26	100%
United States	2	2	0	0	205	18	+187	100%
Wales	3	2	0	1	107	67	+40	67%
Total	75	53	1	21	2,782	1,491	+1,291	71%

South Africa Under-20 have participated in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship since 2008. The table below outlines their results by year:

*Stats correct as of 12 June 2026

South Africa – World Rugby U20 Championship record
Year	Host nation	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	SF	F	Placing
2008	Wales	5	4	0	1	257	76	+181	L	–	3rd place
2009	Japan	5	4	0	1	197	85	+112	L	–	3rd place
2010	Argentina	5	3	0	2	182	114	+68	L	–	3rd place
2011	Argentina	5	4	0	1	256	84	+172	–	–	5th place
2012	South Africa	5	4	0	1	156	60	+96	W	W	1st place
2013	France	5	4	0	1	212	95	+117	L	–	3rd place
2014	New Zealand	5	4	0	1	167	83	+84	W	L	2nd place
2015	Italy	5	4	0	1	170	72	+98	L	–	3rd place
2016	England	5	2	0	3	148	157	-9	L	–	4th place
2017	Georgia	5	3	1	1	192	90	+102	L	–	3rd place
2018	France	5	3	0	2	163	152	+11	L	–	3rd place
2019	Argentina	5	4	0	1	164	92	+72	L	–	3rd place
2020	Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021	Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022	2022 U20 Summer Series
2023	South Africa	5	3	0	2	117	119	-2	L	–	3rd place
2024	South Africa	5	2	0	3	152	120	+32	–	–	7th place
2025	Italy	5	5	0	0	249	92	+157	W	W	1st place
2026	Georgia	To be determined
Total		75	53	1	21	2,782	1,491	+1,291	—

	Champions
	Runners-up
	Third place
	Home venue

The following South Africa U20s players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2008:^[8]

World Rugby Junior Player of the Year

Year	Nominees	Winners
2012	Shaun Adendorff	Jan Serfontein
	Jan Serfontein
2014	Handré Pollard	Handré Pollard
2016	Curwin Bosch	—
2017	Juarno Augustus	Juarno Augustus
2019	Jaden Hendrikse	—

The table below highlights South Africa’s U20 top all-time points scorers in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship:^[9]

*Stats correct as of 4 February 2026

Most Points Scored
Rank	Name	Points
1	Handre Pollard	141
2	Francois Brummer	105
3	Curwin Bosch	104
4	Johan Goosen	79
5	Patrick Lambie	75
6	Vusi Moyo	63
7	Brandon Thomson	59
8	Sias Ebersohn	50
9	Manie Libbok	42
10	Seabelo Senatla	40
	Wandisile Simelane
12	Jaden Hendrikse	38
13	Jean Smith	36
14	Juarno Augustus	35
	Arno Botha
	Jesse Kriel
	Francois Venter
	Wandile Mjekevu
19	Sanele Nohamba	33
20	Gianni Lombard	31

The table below highlights South Africa’s U20 top all-time most capped players in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship:^[10]

*Stats correct as of 4 February 2026

Most Caps
Rank	Name	Caps
1	Handre Pollard	14
T2	Manie Libbok	10
T2	Wandisile Simelane	10
T2	Wandile Mjekevu	10
T2	Gianni Lombard	10
T2	Jurenzo Julius	10
T2	Asenathi Ntlabakanye	10
T2	CJ Stander	10
T2	Zachary Porthen	10
T2	Batho Hlekani	10
T2	Warrick Gelant	10
T2	Carlu Sadie	10
T2	Kene Okafor	10
T14	Francois Brummer	9
T14	Curwin Bosch	9
T14	Jesse Kriel	9
T14	Francois Venter	9
T14	Thomas du Toit	9
T14	Jacobus Grobbelaar	9
T19	Muller Uys	8
T19	Zain Davids	8
T19	Aidon Davids	8
T19	Siya Kolisi	8
T19	Paul Jordaan	8

The table below highlights South Africa’s U20 top all-time tries scored in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship:^[11]

*Stats correct as of 4 February 2026

Most Tries
Rank	Name	Tries Scored
1	Wandisile Simelane	8
T2	Juarno Augustus	7
T2	Arno Botha	7
T2	Jesse Kriel	7
T2	Wandile Mjekevu	7
T2	Seabelo Senatla	7
T2	Francois Venter	7
T8	Robert Ebersohn	6
T8	Jurenzo Julius	6
T8	Manie Libbok	6
T8	Haashim Pead	6
T12	Lionel Cronje	5
T12	Lionel Mapoe	5
T12	Tshotsho Mbovane	5

The U20 Rugby Championship is the southern hemisphere’s premier age-grade international tournament, contested annually by the junior national sides of South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina. Functioning as the direct youth equivalent of the senior Rugby Championship, it mirrors the same four-nation format and competitive structure, with each team playing one another in a round-robin series to determine the champion. ^[12]

Designed to replicate the intensity and standards of senior Test rugby, the competition is a key step in the development pathway for elite young players, often featuring athletes who progress directly into professional provincial rugby and ultimately senior international duty. For the Junior Springboks, it provides a crucial benchmark against the traditional southern hemisphere rivals and forms part of their preparation for the World Rugby U20 Championship. ^[13]

*Stats correct as of 11 May 2026^[14]

Opposition	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	% W
Argentina	3	3	0	0	114	74	+40	100%
Australia	3	1	0	2	99	70	+29	33%
New Zealand	3	0	2	1	116	119	−3	17%
Total	9	4	2	3	300	261	95	56%

The Junior Springboks have participated in the U20 Rugby Championship since 2024. The table below outlines their results by year:

*Stats correct as of 11 May 2026^[15]

South Africa – SANZAAR Rugby Championship Record
Year	Host nation	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Points	Placing
2024	Australia	3	1	1	1	62	65	-3	7	Second place
2025	South Africa	3	1	0	2	105	102	+3	6	Third place
2026	South Africa	3	2	1	0	133	67	+66	13	First Place
Total		9	4	2	3	300	234	66	—

Since the U20 Rugby Championship (TRC U20) launched in 2024, the Junior Springboks have been competing in the southern hemisphere’s youth tournament. Competing against Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand, South Africa finally clinched their first title in 2026. They secured the championship on home soil at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium following a 29–29 draw against New Zealand in the final round. This section tracks the Junior Boks’ team statistics, from their initial runner-up finish in 2024 to their eventual breakthrough as tournament champions. ^[16]

Statistic	2026	2025	2024
Points for	133	105	62
Points against	67	102	65
Tries	20	15	8
Penalty tries	2	1	0
Conversions	13	11	5
Penalty goals	1	2	4
Drop goals	0	0	0
Passes	390	344	243
Offloads	27	31	14
Clean breaks	14	13	4
Scrums	17	15	23
Scrum %	89%	100%	85%
Lineouts	43	28	29
Lineout %	88%	80%	67%
Tackles made	509	500	396
Breakdowns	239	262	238
Ball steals	3	2	3
Forced penalties	4	1	4
Yellow cards	1	0	3
Red cards	0	0	1
Penalties conceded	33	29	31
Free kicks conceded	2	1	2
General play kicks	51	67	69

*Stats correct as of 12 May 2026

The table below highlights South Africa’s U20 top all-time points scorers at the SANZAAR Under 20 Rugby Championship:

*Stats correct as of 11 May 2026

Most Points Scored
Rank	Name	Points
1	Yaqeen Ahmed	35
2	Vusi Moyo	21
3	Jack Benade	20
4	Ethan Adams	15
5	Tyler Senior	13
6	Kyle Smith	11
T7	Litelihle Bester	10
T7	Demitre Erasmus	10
T7	Gino Cupido	10
T7	Haashim Pead	10
T7	Wandile Mlaba	10
T7	Hendre Schoeman	10
T7	Akahluwa Boqwana	10

The table below highlights South Africa’s U20 top all-time tries scored in the SANZAAR Under 20 Rugby Championship:^[17]

*Stats correct as of 11 May 2026

Most Tries
Rank	Name	Tries Scored
1	Jack Benade	4
2	Ethan Adams	3
T3	Demitre Erasmus	2
T3	Gino Cupido	2
T3	Haashim Pead	2
T3	Litelihle Bester	2
T3	Wandile Mlaba	2
T3	Yaqeen Ahmed	2
T3	Hendre Shoeman	2
T3	Akahluwa Boqwana	2

The U20 International series was created for international rugby union matches and friendly tournaments played by men’s national teams under the age of 20. Originally launched by World Rugby in 2021 to provide match play after global pandemic cancellations, the series serves as a high-performance development platform. ^[18]

*Stats correct as of 1 June 2026^[19]

Opposition	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	% W
Argentina	3	2	0	1	93	69	+24	67%
Georgia	3	3	0	0	157	24	+133	100%
Uruguay	1	1	0	0	29	10	+19	100%
Chile	1	1	0	0	97	0	+97	100%
Fiji	1	1	0	0	82	25	+57	100%
Namibia	1	1	0	0	50	08	+42	100%
Total	10	9	0	1	508	136	+372	90%

The Junior Springboks have participated in the U20 International Series since 2019. The table below outlines their results by year:

*Stats correct as of 15 June 2026^[20]

South Africa – U20 International Series
Year	Host nation	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD
2019	South Africa	3	2	0	1	141	52	+89
2021	South Africa	4	4	0	0	131	45	+86
2026	South Africa	3	3	0	0	236	39	+197
Total		10	9	0	1	508	136	+372

The table below highlights South Africa’s U20 top all-time points scorers at the U20 International Series:

*Stats correct as of 15 June 2026

Most Points Scored
Rank	Name	Points
1	Vusi Moyo	57
2	David Coetzer	28
T3	Luan Giliomee	25
T3	Francke Horn	25
5	Gert Kemp	20
6	Jordan Hendrikse	18
T7	Marnus Potgieter	15
T7	Risima Khosa	15
T7	Quintin Potgieter	15
T7	Andre Hugo Venter	15
T7	Henco van Wyk	15
T7	Canan Moodie	15

The table below highlights South Africa’s U20 top all-time tries scored in the U20 International Series:

*Stats correct as of 15 June 2026

Most Tries
Rank	Name	Tries Scored
T1	Luan Giliomee	5
T1	Francke Horn	5
T3	Canan Moodie	3
T3	Gert Kemp	3
T3	Risima Khosa	3
T3	Lindsey Jansen	3
T3	Quintin Potgieter	3
T3	Andre Hugo Venter	3
T3	Henco van Wyk	3
T3	Marnus Potgieter	3

The 2022 Under-20 Summer Series was an international rugby union tournament featured for under-20 men’s national teams. Hosted by the Italian Rugby Federation, the tournament took place from 24 June to 12 July 2022, with matches played across Verona and Treviso.

The tournament was established as a one-off regional substitute for the World Rugby U20 Championship, which was suspended from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It featured eight competing nations divided into two pools of four. Participants included all six traditional Six Nations U20 unions (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales), alongside invited Southern Hemisphere teams (South Africa and Georgia).

South Africa finished the tournament as the only undefeated team after defeating Wales in the cross-pool final match. ^[21]

*Stats correct as of 15 June 2026 ^[22]

Opposition	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	% W
England	1	1	0	0	30	22	+8	100%
France	1	1	0	0	42	27	+15	100%
Ireland	1	1	0	0	33	24	+9	100%
Wales	1	1	0	0	47	27	+20	100%
Total	4	4	0	0	155	100	+55	100%

The Junior Springboks participated in a once off U20 Summer Series in 2022. The table below outlines their results:

*Stats correct as of 15 June 2026^[23]

South Africa – U20 Summer Series
Year	Host nation	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD
2022	Italy	4	4	0	0	155	100	+55
Total		4	4	0	0	155	100	+55

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

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Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

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Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Pool stage

Final

	27 June 2026	South Africa	–	Uruguay	Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia
	20:30 GST (UTC+04)

	2 July 2026	South Africa	–	Georgia	Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia
	20:30 GST (UTC+04)

	7 July 2026	South Africa	–	Wales	Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia
	18:00 GST (UTC+04)

South Africa went unbeaten to win the title. They defeated Australia 73–17,^[33] Scotland 73–14,^[34] and England 32–22^[35] to top the pool. They then beat Argentina 48–24^[36] in the semi-final before defeating New Zealand 23–15 in the final.^[37]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Final

New Zealand

South Africa

FB 15 Stanley Solomon RW 14 Frank Vaenuku OC 13 Cooper Roberts  59′ IC 12 Jack Wiseman LW 11 Maloni Kunawave FH 10 Rico Simpson  63′ SH 9 Dylan Pledger  73′ N8 8 Mosese Bason  26′  59′ OF 7 Caleb Woodley BF 6 Finn McLeod RL 5 Jayden Sa  55′ LL 4 Xavier Treacy  71′ TP 3 Robson Faleafa  63′ HK 2 Manumaua Letiu (c)  60′ LP 1 Sika Uamaki Pole Replacements: HK 16 Eli Oudenryn  60′ PR 17 Israel Time PR 18 Dane Johnston  63′ LK 19 Aisake Vakasiuola  55′ N8 20 Micah Fale  59′ SH 21 Jai Tamati  73′ FH 22 Will Cole  63′ OC 23 Tayne Harvey  59′ Coach: Milton Haig

FB 15 Gilermo Mentoe RW 14 Cheswill Joostee OC 13 Demitre Erasmus  80′ IC 12 Albertus Bester  32′ LW 11 Jaco Williams FH 10 Vusi Simphiwe Moyo SH 9 Hassiem Pead  80′ N8 8 Wandile Mlaba  55′ BF 7 Bathobele Hlekani OF 6 Xola Nyali  26′ RL 5 JJ Theron  23′  33′  55′ LL 4 Riley Norton (c) TP 3 Herman Lubbe  47′ HK 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele  73′ LP 1 Simphiwe Ngobese  55′ Replacements: HK 16 Juandre Schoeman  73′ PR 17 Oliver Reid  55′ PR 18 JD Erasmus  47′ LK 19 Jaco Grobbelaar  23′  33′  55′ N8 20 Matt Romao  55′ OF 21 Fano Linde  26′ SH 22 Ceano Everson  80′ IC 23 Dominic Malgas  80′ Coach: Kevin Foote

Player of the Tournament: Hassiem Pead (South Africa)[38] Assistant referees: Jérémy Rozier (France)[38] Katsuki Furuse (Japan)[38] Television match official: Aled Griffiths (Wales)[38] Foul play Review Officer (FPRO): Leo Colgan (Ireland)[38]

---

South Africa began with a 57–7 win over Fiji^[39] and finished in seventh place after the 7th-place play-off.

Pool stage

Fifth-place Semi-final

Seventh-place final

---

South Africa opened with a 29–14 win over Georgia^[40] and a 34–21 win against Ireland.^[41] They lost 19–24 to England in the semi-final^[42] before beating New Zealand 22–15 in the third-place play-off.^[43]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Third-place final

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South Africa opened with a 41–16 win over Fiji,^[44] then defeated Australia 36–19^[45] and Italy 28–12.^[46] They lost 21–27 to England in the semi-final^[47] but won 31–18 against France in the third-place play-off.^[48]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Third-place final

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South Africa began in France with a 33–27 win over Georgia^[49] and followed with a 29–14 win against Ireland.^[50] They lost 32–31 to England in the semi-final^[51] before finishing fourth after a 40–30 defeat to New Zealand.^[52]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Third-place final

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South Africa opened their campaign in Georgia with a 28–17 win over France,^[53] followed by a 35–20 victory against Italy^[54] and a 31–22 win over Argentina^[55] to top their pool. They were narrowly beaten 22–24 by England in the semi-final^[56] before securing third place with a 37–15 win over New Zealand.^[57]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Third-place final

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South Africa came from behind to beat Japan 59–19 in their opening match in Pool C of the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship held in Manchester.^[58] They were beaten 13–19 by Argentina in their second match,^[59] suffering only their fourth defeat ever in the pool stage of the competition, but bounced back to secure a 40-31 bonus-point victory over France in their final pool match^[60] to secure a semi-final place as the best runner-up in the competition. They faced hosts and three-time champions England in the semi-finals, who proved too strong for the visitors, knocking them out of the competition with a 39–17 victory.^[61] South Africa’s final match came against Argentina, who already beat them previously in Pool C, in the third-place play-off final. Argentina won again, with a very convincing 49–19 scoreline,^[62] condemning South Africa to fourth place in the competition.

Pool stage

Semi-final

Third-place final

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For 2015, the IRB Junior World Championship was rebranded as the World Rugby Under 20 Championship. South Africa started the competition with a 33–5 win against hosts Italy^[63] and recorded a 40–8 win against Samoa^[64] and a 46–13 win over Australia^[65] in their remaining pool matches to finish top of Pool B to qualify for the semi-finals with the best record pool stage of all the teams in the competition. They came up against an England side that beat them in the 2014 final and were eliminated by the same opponents again, losing 20–28 to be eliminated from the competition.^[66] They restored some pride by winning their third-place play-off match against France 31–18 to win the bronze medal.^[67]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Third-place final

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In the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship held in New Zealand, South Africa beat Scotland 61–5,^[73] hosts New Zealand 33–24^[74] and Samoa 21–8^[75] to finish top of their pool. They again met New Zealand in the semi-finals and beat them again, this time by a 32–25 scoreline,^[76] to qualify to their second final. However, they lost the final 20–21 to England to finish the competition in second spot.^[77]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Final

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South Africa won all three their pool matches at the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship held in France; they beat the United States 97–0,^[83] England 31–24^[84] and hosts France 26–19^[85] to top their pool to qualify to the semi-finals. They lost their semi-final match 17–18 to Wales^[86] before winning their fourth third-place play-off match in six seasons, beating New Zealand 41–34.^[87]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Third-place final

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South Africa hosted the tournament in 2012, but the hosts got off to a bad start, losing 19–23 to Ireland in their first match.^[93] However, they recovered to beat Italy 52–3^[94] and previously-unbeaten England 28–15^[95] to finish top of the log. They easily dispatched Argentina in the semi-final, winning 35–3,^[96] before beating New Zealand 22–16 in the final in Cape Town,^[97] winning the competition for the first time and ending the latter’s four-year reign as champions.^[98]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Final

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Victories in South Africa’s first two matches at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship held in Italy – beating Scotland 33–0^[104] and Ireland 42–26^[105] – were followed by a defeat at the hands of England, losing 20–26^[106] to finish second in the pool and failing to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time. Instead, they went into the fifth-placed play-off series, where a 57–15 win over pool rivals Ireland^[107] and a 104–17 win over Fiji^[108] saw them finish the competition in fifth spot.

Pool stage

Fifth-place semi-final

Fifth-place final

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A 40–14 victory over Tonga^[114] in the opening match of Pool C in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship held in Argentina was followed up by a 73–0 victory over Scotland,^[115] before South Africa suffered their first ever pool stage defeat in the competition, losing 35–42 to Australia.^[116] Although finishing in second position in the pool, they still qualified for the semi-finals by virtue of having the best record of the second-placed teams across the three pools. They were eliminated 7–36 by New Zealand in the semi-finals,^[117] but managed to win the third-place play-off for the third year in a row, avenging their previous semi-final exists at the hands of England by beating them 27–22.^[118]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Third-place final

---

South Africa were placed in Pool C of the 2009 competition held in Japan. They emulated their 2008 form, winning all three of their pool matches – they beat Fiji 36–10,^[124] Italy 65–3^[125] and France 43–27^[126] to finish top of the pool. They again lost to England in the semi-finals (losing 21–40),^[127] but again bounced back by winning the third-place play-off match, this time beating Australia 32–5.^[128]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Third-place final

---

South Africa took part in the inaugural edition of the competition in 2008 held in Wales, where they were drawn in Pool B. They beat the United States 108–18 in their very first game.^[129] A 72–3 victory over Scotland^[130] and a 16–11 win against Samoa^[131] saw them top the pool to qualify for the semi-final stages. They lost their semi-final match 18–26 to England,^[132] but returned to winning ways with a 43–18 win over hosts Wales in the third-place play-off match.^[133]

Pool stage

Semi-final

Third-place final

---

The following players were named in the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2026 U20 Rugby Championship which kicks off on 27 April 2026 in Gqeberha.^[134]

• Caps updated: 8 June 2026 (after South Africa U20 vs Georgia U20 International Series)

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club/province
Oliver Reid	Prop	(2006-06-27) 27 June 2006 (age 19)	5	Stormers
Phiwayinkosi Kubheka	Prop	(2006-01-27) 27 January 2006 (age 20)	6	Sharks
Jordan Jooste	Prop		1	Stormers
Kai Pratt	Prop	(2007-09-13) 13 September 2007 (age 18)	4	Sharks
Danie Kruger	Prop	(2006-08-01) 1 August 2006 (age 19)	6	Stormers
Bongani Dlamini	Prop		1	Bulls
Siphosethu Mnebelele	Hooker	(2006-02-18) 18 February 2006 (age 20)	8	Bulls
Liam van Wyk	Hooker	(2006-10-26) 26 October 2006 (age 19)	6	Sharks
Altus Rabe	Hooker		1	Stormers
Mahle Sithole	Hooker		6	Lions
Heinrich Theron	Lock	(2006-04-27) 27 April 2006 (age 20)	6	Bulls
Jaythen Orange	Lock		1	Lions
Riley Norton (c)	Lock	(2006-01-02) 2 January 2006 (age 20)	13	Stormers
JD Hattingh	Lock	(2006-03-27) 27 March 2006 (age 20)	7	Lions
Kebotile Maake	Loose forward		6	Bulls
Risima Khosa	Loose forward		5	Lions
Wasi Vyambwera	Loose forward		4	Sharks
Luke Cannon	Loose forward		6	Lions
Gert Kemp	Loose forward	(2007-06-18) 18 June 2007 (age 18)	3	Stormers
Thomas Beling	Loose forward		2	Bulls
Vuyo Gwiji	Loose forward		1	Lions
Quintin Potgieter	Loose forward		2	Stormers
Luan Olivier	Loose forward			Sharks
Jayden Brits	Scrum-half	(2007-06-18) 18 June 2007 (age 18)	5	Stormers
Hendré Schoeman	Scrum-half		6	Bulls
Jandrian Goosen	Scrum-half	(2007-07-27) 27 July 2007 (age 18)	1	Bulls
Yaqeen Ahmed	Fly-half	(2006-07-28) 28 July 2006 (age 19)	6	Stormers
Vusi Moyo	Fly-half	(2006-06-21) 21 June 2006 (age 19)	13	Sharks
Markus Muller	Centre	(2007-07-12) 12 July 2007 (age 18)	2	Stormers
Ethan Adams	Centre	(2007-03-03) 3 March 2007 (age 19)	5	Lions
Olunje Mehlomakulu	Centre			Stormers
Samuel Badenhorst	Centre	(2006-08-17) 17 August 2006 (age 19)	6	Stormers
Pieter van der Merwe	Centre	(2006-02-16) 16 February 2006 (age 20)	2	Bulls
Olunje Mehlomakulu	Centre		1	Sharks
Lindsey Jansen	Wing		4	Bulls
Jordan Steenkamp	Wing		3	Stormers
Khuthadzo Rasivhaga	Wing	(2006-11-12) 12 November 2006 (age 19)	5	Sharks
Jack Benade	Wing	(2006-08-10) 10 August 2006 (age 19)	4	Stormers
Jade Muller	Wing		3	Cheetahs
Cheswill Jooste	Wing	(2006-09-05) 5 September 2006 (age 19)	8	Bulls
Junaide Stuart	Wing	(2007-06-26) 26 June 2007 (age 18)	1	Bulls
Akahluwa Boqwana	Fullback	(2006-05-21) 21 May 2006 (age 20)	3	Bulls
Zekhethelo Siyaya	Fullback	(2007-08-20) 20 August 2007 (age 18)	2	Sharks
Luan Giliomee	Fullback		3	Sharks
Luan van der Berg	Fullback		2	Bulls
Christian Vorster	Centre	(2007-04-11) 11 April 2007 (age 19)	1	Bulls
Alzeadon Felix	Fullback		3	Sharks

The following players played at previous editions of the World Rugby Under 20 Championship:

2025 South Africa Under–20 rugby union team
Name	AUS	ENG	SCO	ARG	NZL		App	Try	Con	Pen	DG	Pts
Simphiwe Ngobese	1	1		1	1		4	0	0	0	0	0
Siphosethu Mnebelele	2	2	17	2	2		4	0	0	0	0	0
Herman Lubbe	3	3	18	3	3		5	1	0	0	0	5
Riley Norton (c)	4	4		4	4		4	0	0	0	0	0
JJ Theron	5	5	19	5	5		5	2	0	0	0	10
Xola Nyali	6	6		6	6		4	2	0	0	0	10
Batho Hlekani	7	7	20	7	7		5	0	0	0	0	0
Wandile Mlaba	8	8		8	8		4	0	0	0	0	0
Haashim Pead	9	9	21	9	9		5	6	0	0	0	30
Vusi Moyo	10	10	10	10	10		5	0	21	7	0	63
Jaco Williams	23	23	11	11	11		5	4	0	0	0	20
Albie Bester	12	12		12	12		4	2	0	0	0	10
Demitre Erasmus	13		23	13	13		4	0	0	0	0	0
Cheswill Jooste	14	14	14	14	14		5	3	0	0	0	15
Gilermo Mentoe	15	15	15	15	15		5	4	0	0	0	20
Jaundre Schoeman	16	16	2	16	16		5	0	0	0	0	0
Oliver Reid	17	17	1	17	17		5	1	0	0	0	5
Jean Erasmus	18	18	3	18	18		5	1	0	0	0	5
Jacobus Grobbelaar	19	19	4	19	19		5	1	0	0	0	5
Matt Romao	20	20	7	20	20		5	0	0	0	0	0
Ceano Everson		21	9	22	22		4	2	0	0	0	10
Stephanus Linde			8	21	21		3	1	0	0	0	5
Dominic Malgas	21	9	22	22	9		4	1	1	0	0	7
Gino Cupido	13	13					2	0	0	0	0	0
Siya Ndlozi	11	11					2	2	0	0	0	10
Ian van der Merwe	22		22				2	0	7	0	0	14
Morne Venter			5				1	0	0	0	0	0
Thando Biyela			6				1	1	0	0	0	5
Phiwayinkosi Kubheka			17				1	0	0	0	0	0
Erich Visser	21						1	0	0	0	0	0
Total							5	34	29	7	0	249

2024 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	FIJ	ARG	ENG	ARG	WAL		Apps	Pts
Ruan Swart	1	1		1			3	0
Luca Bakkes	2	2	2		2		4	5
Zachary Porthen (c)	3	3	3	3	3		5	15
Jacobus Grobbelaar		4	19	5	4		4	0
JF van Heerden	5	5	5	7	5		5	5
Sibabalwe Mahashe	6	21	6	6	8		5	20
Batho Hlekani	4	7	7	19	7		5	10
Tiaan Jacobs	8	8	20	8			4	0
Asad Moos	9	9	9	9	9		2	10
Liam Koen	10	10	10		21		4	21
Litelihle Bester	11	11	11	21	23		5	0
Joshua Boulle	12	23	12		12		4	0
Jurenzo Julius	13	13	13	13	13		5	20
Joel Leotlela	14	14		14	14		4	5
Michail Damon	15		15	15			3	5
Ethan Bester		16	16	2	16		4	0
Liyema Ntshanga	17	17	17	17	17		5	0
Casper Badenhorst	18	18	1	18	1		5	0
Thomas Dyer		19	4	4			3	0
Divan Fuller	20		21	20	20		4	0
Ezekiel Ngobeni	21			23	11		3	0
Tylor Sefoor	22	22	22	10	10		5	19
Philip-Albert van Niekerk		12	23	12	22		4	0
Keanu Coetsee	19	20			6		3	0
Thabang Mphafi	7	6	8				3	0
Juan Smal	16			16			2	0
Herman Lubbe			18		18		2	0
Wandile Mlaba					19		1	0
Bruce Sherwood		15		22	15		3	0
Likhona Finca	23		14				2	10
Haashim Pead				21			1	0

2023 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	GEO	ITA	ARG	IRE	ENG		Apps	Pts
Corne Lavagna	17	1	1	1	17		5	0
Juann Else	2	2	2	2	2		5	15
Mawande Mdanda	3	3			3		3	0
Coetzee Le Roux	4		4	4	4		4	5
Jacob Frederick Nel Van Heerden	5	5	5	5			4	0
Paul De Villiers (c)	6	6	6	6	6		5	0
Ghudian Van Reenen	7	19	7	7			4	0
Corne Beets		8	8	8	8		4	15
Imad Khan	9	21	9	9	21		5	11
Jean Smith	10		10	10	10		4	36
Michael Annies	23	14	11	11	23		5	0
Ethan Hooker	12		12	12			3	5
Katlego Letebele	13	13	13	13	13		5	10
Jurenzo Julius	14	23	14	14	14		5	10
Hakeem Kunene	15		15	15			3	0
SJ Kotze	16	16	16	16	16		5	0
Phatu Ganyane	1	17	17	17	1		5	0
Zachary Porthen	18	18	18	18	18		5	0
Jannes Potgieter	19	7	19	19			4	0
Gcino Mdletshe	20	20			20		3	0
Neil Le Roux	21	9			9		3	0
Damian Markus	22	12	22	22	12		5	5
Regan Izaks		15	23	23	15		4	0
Tiaan Wessels		4			5		2	0
Dian Heunis			3	3			2	0
Abulele Ndabambi	8		20	20	19		4	0
Hennie Sieberhagen					7		1	5
Quewin Nortje		11			11		2	0
Litelihle Bester		22			22		2	0
Asad Moos			21	21			2	0
Sam Francis		10					1	0
Masande Mtshali	11						1	0

2019 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	GEO	IRL	FRA	ENG	NZL		Apps	Pts
Dian Bleuler	1	1	1	1	17		5	0
Fez Mbatha	2	2	2	2	2		5	10
Asenathi Ntlabakanye	3	3	3	3	3		5	5
JJ van der Mescht	4	4	4	4	4		5	15
Emile van Heerden	5	5	25	25			3	0
Jaco Labuschagne	6	21	20	20	6		4	0
Phepsi Buthelezi (c)	7	8	8	8	8		5	0
Francke Horn	8						1	5
Jaden Hendrikse	9	9	9	9	23		5	38
James Mollentze	10	10	10	10			4	0
Caleb Dingaan	11	11	26	26	22		3	0
Rikus Pretorius	12	12	12	12	12		5	10
Marnus Potgieter	13	13	13	13	25		4	0
Angelo Davids	14	14	14	14	14		5	5
Vaughen Isaacs	15	15	15	15	15		5	5
Dameon Venter	16	16	16	16	16		5	0
Kudzwai Dube	17	17	17	17	1		5	5
Keagan Glade	18	18	18	18	18		5	0
Thabiso Mdletshe	19	19	19	19	19		1	0
Elrigh Louw	20	20	5	5	5		4	0
Dylan Richardson	21	6	6	6	20		5	10
David Kriel	22	27	28	28	13		1	0
Sanele Nohamba	23	23	23	23	9		5	33
Celimpilo Gumede	24	7	21	21	7		4	0
David Coetzer	25	26	27	27	10		4	8
Mnombo Zwelendaba	26		22	22	26		1	0
Sibusiso Sangweni	27	24	7	7	21		2	0
Thaakir Abrahams	28	22	11	11	11		4	15
Janko Swanepoel			24	24	24		1	0

2018 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	GEO	IRL	FRA	ENG	NZL		Apps	Pts
Nathan McBeth	1	1	1				3	0
Dan Jooste	2	2			2		3	0
Sazi Sandi	3	18	18	3	3		5	15
Salmaan Moerat (c)	4	4	4	4	4		5	0
Ruan Nortjé	5	5	19	5	5		5	10
Dian Schoonees	6	6	6	20	20		4	0
PJ Steenkamp	7	20	7	7			4	0
Muller Uys	8	8	8	8	8		5	15
Zak Burger	9	9	9	9			4	10
Damian Willemse	10	10					2	10
Sihle Njezula	11		23	23	11		3	0
Rikus Pretorius	12			12			2	0
Wandisile Simelane	13	13	11	11	13		5	30
Tyrone Green	14	14	14	14	14		5	15
Gianni Lombard	15	15	15	15	15		5	21
Schalk Erasmus	16	16	2	16	16		5	5
Alulutho Tshakweni	17	17	17	1	1		5	5
Asenathi Ntlabakanye	18	3	3	18	18		5	10
Ruan Vermaak	19	19	5		19		4	0
Ben-Jason Dixon	20	7	20	19	7		5	0
Rewan Kruger	21	21	21		9		3	0
Lubabalo Dobela	22	22	10	22	22		4	2
Lyle Hendricks	23	12	12		12		4	0
Muller du Plessis		11					1	5
Manuel Rass		23	13	13	23		4	5
Tiaan van der Merwe			16	2			2	5
David Coetzer			22	10	10		3	0
Phepsi Buthelezi				6	6		2	0
Leon Lyons				17	17		2	0
Jack Hart				21	21		1	0

2017 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	FRA	GEO	ARG	ENG	FRA		Apps	Pts
Gerhard Steenekamp	1	16	16	16	1		5	0
Johan Grobbelaar	2	2	2	2	2		5	20
Carlü Sadie	3	3	3	3	3		5	0
Salmaan Moerat	4	4	19	4	4		5	0
Ruben van Heerden	5		4	5	5		4	10
Zain Davids	6	20			6		3	0
Ernst van Rhyn (c)	7	7	7	7	7		5	0
Juarno Augustus	8	8	8	8	8		5	35
Rewan Kruger	9						1	0
Curwin Bosch	10	23	10	10			4	41
Wandisile Simelane	11	13	13	13	23		5	10
David Brits	12				22		2	5
Stedman Gans	13	22	22	22	13		4	0
Yaw Penxe	14	14	14	14	14		5	10
Manie Libbok	15	10	15	15	10		5	27
Kwenzo Blose	16	1	1	1	16		5	0
Dan Jooste	17	17	17	17	17		3	0
Lee-Marvin Mazibuko	18			18			2	0
Hendré Stassen	19	19	5				3	0
Nama Xaba	20						1	0
Francois de Villiers	21	21	21	21	21		2	5
Damian Willemse	22	12	12	12	12		5	5
Gianni Lombard	23	11	11	11	11		5	10
Reinhard Nothnagel		5		19	19		3	0
Len Massyn		6	6	6			3	0
Embrose Papier		9	9	9	9		4	5
Jeanluc Cilliers		15	23	23	15		3	9
Wikus Groenewald		18	18		18		3	0
Muller Uys			20	20	20		3	0

2016 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	JPN	ARG	FRA	ENG	ARG		Apps	Pts
Kwenzo Blose	1				17		2	0
Tango Balekile	2	2	16	2	16		5	0
Jaco Holtzhausen	3	18	18	3			3	0
Cobus Wiese	4	20	7	20	7		5	0
Eli Snyman	5	5	5	5	5		5	0
Zain Davids	6	6	6	6	6		5	15
Ernst van Rhyn	7	7	19	7			4	0
Junior Pokomela	8	8	8	8	8		5	0
James Hall	9	9	21	21	21		5	0
Manie Libbok	10	15	10	10	10		5	15
Mosolwa Mafuma	11	11		14			3	5
JT Jackson	12	22	12	12	12		5	5
Jeremy Ward (c)	13	13	13	13			4	10
S’busiso Nkosi	14	14	14				3	0
Curwin Bosch	15	10	15	15	15		5	63
Jan-Henning Campher	16	16	2	16	2		5	5
Franco van den Berg	17	1	1	17	1		5	5
Carlü Sadie	18	3	3	18	3		5	5
Ruben de Villiers	19	19	4	4	4		5	0
Denzel Hill	20		20		20		1	0
Embrose Papier	21		9				2	5
Franco Naudé	22	12	22	22	13		5	0
Keanu Vers	23		23	23	23		2	0
Eduard Zandberg		4		19	19		3	0
NJ Oosthuizen		17	17	1	18		3	0
Marco Jansen van Vuren		21		9	9		3	0
Edwill van der Merwe		23	11	11	11		4	15
Stedman Gans					14		1	0
Benhard Janse van Rensburg					22		1	0

2015 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	ITA	SAM	AUS	ENG	FRA		Apps	Pts
Ox Nché	1	1	1	1	1		5	5
Jan van der Merwe	2	16	16	16	2		5	5
Thomas du Toit	3	3	3	3	3		5	10
Abongile Nonkontwana	4				19		1	0
RG Snyman	5	5	5	5	5		5	0
Rikus Bothma	6			6			2	5
Jean-Luc du Preez	7	7	7	7	20		5	0
Hanro Liebenberg (c)	8	8	8	8	8		5	10
Ivan van Zyl	9	9	9	9	9		5	0
Brandon Thomson	10	10	10	10	10		5	59
Leolin Zas	11	11	11	11	11		5	10
Daniël du Plessis	12	12	12	12	12		5	5
JT Jackson	13	13					2	0
Khanyo Ngcukana	14		14	14			3	5
Warrick Gelant	15	15	15	15	15		5	0
Joseph Dweba	16	2	2	2	16		4	0
Njabulo Gumede	17						1	0
Frans van Wyk	18	18	18	18	18		5	5
Jason Jenkins	19	4	4	4	4		5	15
Dan du Preez	20	6	20	20	7		5	10
Marco Jansen van Vuren	21	21	21	21	21		3	0
Tinus de Beer	22	22	22	22	22		4	6
Malcolm Jaer	23			23	14		3	5
Grant Hermanus		14	23		23		3	0
Mzamo Majola		17	17	17	17		4	0
Hyron Andrews		19	19	19			2	0
Jacques Vermeulen		20	6		6		3	5
EW Viljoen		23	13	13	13		4	0
penalty try								10

2014 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	SCO	NZL	SAM	NZL	ENG		Apps	Pts
Pierre Schoeman	1	17	1	17	17		5	5
Malcolm Marx	2						1	5
Wilco Louw	3	18	3	18	18		5	0
Abongile Nonkontwana	4	19		19			2	0
Nico Janse van Rensburg	5	5	5	5	5		5	0
Jacques Vermeulen	6		7	6	6		4	0
Cyle Brink	7	7	20	7	7		5	0
Aidon Davis	8	8	8	8	8		5	10
Zee Mkhabela	9	21	21	21	21		1	0
Handré Pollard (c)	10	10	10	10	10		5	65
Sergeal Petersen	11	11	14	11	11		5	15
André Esterhuizen	12		12	12	12		4	10
Jesse Kriel	13	13	15	13	13		5	25
Lloyd Greeff	14	14		14			3	15
Warrick Gelant	15	15	23	15	15		5	10
Corniel Els	16	2	2	2	2		4	5
Dayan van der Westhuizen	17	3	18	3	3		4	0
Thomas du Toit	18	1		1	1		4	0
JD Schickerling	19	4	4	4	4		5	0
Jean-Luc du Preez	20	6			20		3	0
JP Smith	21	9	9	9	9		5	0
Jean-Luc du Plessis	22	22	22	22	22		2	2
Rohan Janse van Rensburg	23						1	0
Dan Kriel		12	13	23	14		4	0
Joseph Dweba		16	16	16	16		2	0
Victor Sekekete		20	19	20	19		1	0
Duhan van der Merwe		23	11		23		2	0
Thabo Mabuza			6				1	0
Nqoba Mxoli			17				0	0

2013 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	USA	ENG	FRA	WAL	NZL		Apps	Pts
Andrew Beerwinkel	1	1	17	1	17		4	0
Jacques du Toit	2	2	2	2	16		5	5
Luan de Bruin	3	3		3	3		4	5
Irné Herbst	4	4	4	4	4		5	5
Dennis Visser	5	5	5	5	5		5	0
Roelof Smit	6	6	6	6			4	5
Jacques du Plessis	7	7	7	7	7		5	5
Ruan Steenkamp (c)	8	8	8	8	6		5	10
Stefan Ungerer	9	9		9	9		4	5
Robert du Preez	10	10	21	10	21		4	28
Seabelo Senatla	11	11	11	11	11		5	40
Handré Pollard	12	12	10	12	10		5	34
Justin Geduld	13	13		21			3	10
Luther Obi	14	14	14	14	14		5	20
Cheslin Kolbe	15	15	15	15	15		5	10
Mike Willemse	16	16	16	16	2		5	10
Sti Sithole	17	17	1	17	1		4	0
Aidon Davis	18	19	19	18	8		3	0
Kwagga Smith	19			19	19		3	10
Hanco Venter	20	20	9				2	0
Dries Swanepoel	21	21	13	13	22		4	5
Jesse Kriel	22	22	22	22	13		4	10
Marné Coetzee	23	23	3	23	23		4	0
Jannes Kirsten		18	18				1	0
Rohan Janse van Rensburg			12		12		2	0
Percy Williams			20	20	20		1	0
Devon Martinus			23				1	0
Jannie Stander					18		0	0

2012 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	IRL	ITA	ENG	ARG	NZL		Apps	Pts
Steven Kitshoff	1	1	1	1	1		5	5
Mark Pretorius	2	16	16	2	2		4	5
Allan Dell	3	17	17	17	17		4	0
Paul Willemse	4	4	4	4	4		5	10
Pieter-Steph du Toit	5	18	7	7	7		5	5
Shaun Adendorff	6		6	6	19		3	10
Wiaan Liebenberg (c)	7	7		19	6		4	0
Fabian Booysen	8	19	8	8	8		5	0
Abrie Griesel	9	20	20	20	20		3	0
Tony Jantjies	10	21		21	21		3	19
Raymond Rhule	11			22	14		3	10
Jan Serfontein	12	12	12	12	12		5	20
Patrick Howard	13	22	11				3	5
Paul Jordaan	14		14	14			3	0
Dillyn Leyds	15		15	15	15		4	0
Jason Thomas	16	2	2				3	0
Oli Kebble	17	3	3	23	23		4	0
Ruan Botha	18	5	5	5	5		5	0
Braam Steyn	19	8	19	18	18		2	5
Vian van der Watt	20	9	9	9	9		5	10
Handré Pollard	21	10	10	10	10		4	42
Tshotso Mbovane	22	14	22	11	11		4	0
Maks van Dyk	23	23	23	3	3		4	0
Khaya Majola		6	18				1	0
Travis Ismaiel		11			22		1	0
William Small-Smith		13	13	13			3	10
Marais Schmidt		15	21				1	0
Franco Marais				16	16		1	0
Kobus van Wyk					13		1	0
Dean Hammond							0	0
Marvin Orie							0	0

2011 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	SCO	IRL	ENG	IRL	FIJ		Apps	Pts
Juan Schoeman	1		1		1		3	0
Bongi Mbonambi	2	16	2	16	2		5	0
Nick Schonert	3	17	17	3	17		5	0
Jean Cook	4	18	18	4	4		5	0
Eben Etzebeth	5	5	5	5	5		5	5
Francois Kleinhans	6			6	19		3	5
Siya Kolisi	7	19	7				3	0
Arno Botha (c)	8	8	8	8	8		5	35
Pieter Rademan	9	20	9	9	9		5	10
Johan Goosen	10	10	10	10	10		5	79
Wandile Mjekevu	11	11	11	11	11		5	20
Francois Venter	12	12	12	12	12		5	30
Paul Jordaan	13	22	22	22	21		5	5
Tshotsho Mbovane	14			14	14		3	25
Ulrich Beyers	15	15		15	15		4	0
Michael van Vuuren	16	2	16	2	16		5	0
John-Roy Jenkinson	17	3	3	17	3		5	0
Ruan Venter	18	4	4				2	0
Cornell du Preez	19	7	19	7	7		5	5
Lohan Jacobs	20	9	20	20	20		4	0
Johnny Welthagen	21	21	21	21			2	2
Craig Barry	22						0	0
Stephan Kotzé		1		1			2	0
Nizaam Carr		6	6	19	6		4	10
Bradley Moolman		13	13				2	0
Courtnall Skosan		14	14		22		3	5
Jaco Taute			15	13	13		3	15
Carl Wegner				18	18		2	0
penalty try								5

2010 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	TON	SCO	AUS	NZL	ENG		Apps	Pts
Brummer Badenhorst	1	1	1	1			4	5
Monde Hadebe	2	2	2	2	2		5	0
Marcel van der Merwe	3	3	3	3	3		5	10
Kene Okafor	4	4	4	4	4		5	5
Sebastian de Chaves	5	5	5	5	5		5	0
Siya Kolisi	6	6	6	6	6		5	10
Fanie van der Walt	7		7	7	7		4	0
CJ Stander (c)	8	8	8	8	8		5	5
Louis Schreuder	9	9	9	9	9		5	0
Elton Jantjies	10	10	10	10	10		5	12
Wandile Mjekevu	11	14	11	11	11		5	15
Francois Venter	12	12	12		12		4	5
Jaco Taute	13		13	13	13		4	5
Sampie Mastriet	14		14				2	5
Patrick Lambie	15	15	15	15	15		5	75
François du Toit	16	16	16	16	16		4	0
Ruan Dreyer	17	17	17	17	17		5	0
Peet Marais	18	19					2	0
Mlungisi Bali	19	7	19	18	18		4	0
Branco du Preez	20	13	21	12	21		4	5
Adri Jacobs	21	21		21			1	0
Nico Scheepers	22	22	22	14	14		4	5
S’bura Sithole		11		22	22		3	20
Wessel du Rand		18	18		1		3	0
Tera Mtembu		20	20	19	19		4	0
Lohan Jacobs				20	20		2	0
Freddie Muller							0	0

2009 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	FIJ	ITA	FRA	ENG	AUS		Apps	Pts
Morné Mellett	1	18	1	1	1		5	0
Kyle Cooper	2	16	2	2	2		5	0
Julian Redelinghuys	3	3	17	17	18		4	0
Jandré Marais	4		4	4	4		4	5
David Bulbring	5	5	5	5	5		5	0
Marnus Schoeman	6	6	20	6	6		5	0
Tendayi Chikukwa	7	19	7				3	5
CJ Stander	8	8	8	8	8		5	10
Rudy Paige	9	20	21	21	20		4	0
Francois Brummer	10		12	15	15		4	38
Sampie Mastriet	11		11	11	11		4	15
Johann Sadie	12	21		22	21		4	5
Robert Ebersohn (c)	13	12	13	12	12		5	10
Clayton Blommetjies	14	22					2	0
Sias Ebersohn	15	15	15				3	40
Zane Botha	16	2	16	16	16		5	0
Coenie Oosthuizen	17	17	3	3	3		5	0
Caylib Oosthuizen	18	1	18	18	17		5	0
Rynhardt Elstadt	19		6	7			3	0
Stokkies Hanekom	20	13	22	13	13		5	10
Ross Cronjé	21	9	9	9	9		5	5
Kene Okafor	22	4	19	19	19		5	0
Yaya Hartzenberg		7		20	7		3	0
Lionel Cronjé		10	10	10	10		4	29
Tom Seabela		11			22		2	10
Gerhard van den Heever		14	14	14	14		4	15

2008 South Africa Under-20 rugby union team
Name	USA	SCO	SAM	ENG	WAL		Apps	Pts
Jéan Rossouw	1		17		1		2	0
PW van Vuuren	2	16	2	16	16		5	20
Wiehahn Herbst	3	17		17	3		4	0
Cornell Hess	4	5	5	5	5		5	0
Sabelo Nhlapo	5	19	18	18	19		3	5
Thiliphatu Marole	6	7	6	7	6		5	10
Nick Köster	7	18	7	19	7		5	5
Gerrit-Jan van Velze (c)	8	8	8	8	8		5	15
Dewaldt Duvenage	9	9	9	20	21		4	0
Sias Ebersohn	10	20	20	21	10		3	10
Lionel Mapoe	11	11		11	11		4	25
Robert Ebersohn	12	12	12	12	13		5	30
Stefan Watermeyer	13	13	13	13			4	20
Vainon Willis	14		21	22	22		4	5
Cecil Afrika	15	21	22	14	14		4	5
Henri Bantjes	16	2	16	2	2		5	0
Frik Kirsten	17	3	3	3	17		5	5
Martin Muller	18	4	4	4	4		5	5
MB Lusaseni	19		19				1	0
Francois Hougaard	20			9	9		3	0
Francois Brummer	21	10	10	10	12		5	67
Wilton Pietersen	22	15	15	15	15		5	10
Corné Fourie		1	1	1	18		4	0
Johan van Deventer		6		6	20		3	10
Stephan Dippenaar		14	14				2	5
Tom Seabela		22	11				2	5

The current coaching staff of the South African U20 national team is: ^{[135] [136]}

Coaches	Position
Kevin Foote	Head coach
Melusi Mthethwa	Attack Coach
Lumumba Currie	Forwards Coach
Willem Oliphant	Team Manager
Hayden Groepes	Assistant Coach
Joe Lewis	Assistant Coach
Thulani Nteta	Strength And Conditioning Coach

The role of the South Africa Under-20 head coach focuses entirely on elite youth development and managing the transitional pathway into professional rugby. The Junior Springboks head coach operates as an academy mentor and talent identifier. Because age-grade squads reset completely every single year, long-term team building is impossible, and selection involves a fluid mix of school, university, and provincial academy structures. The following chronological list details the head coaches who have directed the Junior Springboks since age-grade rugby officially transitioned to the Under-20 format in 2008.

Name	Years	Tests	Won	Drew	Lost	Win percent	Accomplishments
Eric Sauls	2008–2010	15	11	0	4	73%
Dawie Theron	2011-2016	30	22	0	8	73%	2012 IRB Junior World Championship
Chean Roux	2017-2020	15	10	1	4	67%
Bafana Hleko	2021-2024	21	14	1	6	67%	2021 Under-20 International Series Win 2022 U20 Summer Series Win
Kevin Foote	2024-present	14	12	0	2	86%	2025 World Rugby U20 Championship 2026 U20 Rugby Championship 2026 Under-20 International Series

The Junior Springboks’ longest unbeaten streak is 13 consecutive Test matches, which they achieved between 29 June 2025 and still counting. This record was set under coach Kevin Foote and captain Riley Norton, and during this time the Junior Springboks scored more than 50 points six times including a 97-00 victory vs Chile, 82-25 vs Fiji, 57-14 vs Georgia, 73-17 vs Australia and 73-14 vs Scotland.

South Africa U20’s Pool A fixtures for the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship:^[137]

	27 June 2026	South Africa	–	Uruguay	Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia
	20:30 GST (UTC+04)

	2 July 2026	South Africa	–	Georgia	Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia
	20:30 GST (UTC+04)

	7 July 2026	South Africa	–	Wales	Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia
	18:00 GST (UTC+04)

• “SA Rugby Competition – 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship”. South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.