Adrien Drault’s delicate finish in the 76th minute will be replayed a thousand times, but for France’s Junior World Championship squad, it will represent the most precious memory of their campaign so far: a golden ticket to Saturday’s final and a shot at a fourth title.
The centre’s opportunistic try sealed a thrilling 26-22 semi-final victory over New Zealand at Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi on Monday evening—a result that confirms what many already suspected: France are genuine contenders for the junior world championship.
Now they face defending champions South Africa at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in the Georgian capital, with the Junior Springboks arriving unbeaten through a record-extending 10th successive Junior World Championship victory after dismantling England 53-37 in the second semi-final.
The Drama Behind the Scenes
France’s path to the final was anything but straightforward. In humid conditions in Georgia, Les Bleuets and New Zealand produced the kind of tight, attritional contest that defines knockout rugby—no tries coming until the 19th minute when Gabin Garault opened the scoring from a lineout maul.
The All Blacks hit back, and when New Zealand’s Mika Muliaina kicked a penalty with just minutes remaining, the momentum shifted decisively toward the defending Junior World Championship runners-up. At 22-20 down, France looked dead and buried.
But Cédric Laborde’s men found one final attack. A delightful handling sequence freed Drault to scamper clear down the left flank, and suddenly France were 26-22 ahead.
South Africa’s Muscle and Mastery
If France scraped through in a thriller, South Africa’s semi-final was an altogether different affair. England arrived in Georgia as a genuine outsider—young, vibrant, and full of ambition—but the Junior Springboks were simply too strong.
Playing at Avchala Stadium against a 14-man England (flanker Seb Kelly’s 32nd-minute red card for a headbutt proving decisive), South Africa ran in eight tries to record a commanding 53-37 victory. It was textbook South African rugby: patience, power, and ruthless execution when the opportunity arose.
A First-Ever Final Clash
What makes Saturday’s showdown historic is simple: France and South Africa have never met in a Junior World Championship final before. The last time these nations collided at this level was in 2019, when South Africa won 36-20 in a quarter-final in Buenos Aires.
South Africa come to the final as defending champions from 2025 and are bidding for consecutive titles—a feat only New Zealand and South Africa have achieved in this tournament’s history.
Players to Watch
Adrien Drault (France): The centre’s semi-final performance—particularly that 76th-minute finish—underlines his potential. Quick, intelligent, and with soft hands.
Luan Giliomee (South Africa): The Junior Springbok’s breakdown work and ball-carrying ability have been among the tournament’s standouts.
Gabin Garault (France): The hooker has scored six tries in four matches—a stunning return for a forward.
Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (South Africa): The winger’s hat-trick against England shows his finishing prowess.
The final kicks off at 18:30 local time Saturday (15:30 UK).
