South Africa beat Baby Blacks to third place as France win first U20s world title
New Zealand conceded 26 unanswered points to go down to the Junior Springboks in the U20s World Cup match.
France's under-20s became world champions for the first time after beating England 33-25 in the final of the World Rugby Championship in Béziers on Sunday (Monday NZ time).
The Baby Blacks had to settle for fourth place in the tournament as South Africa's under-20s overturned an 11-point deficit and scored 26 unanswered points in the second half to claim a 42-30 victory in the third place play-off at the Stade de la Mediterranee.
Defending champions New Zealand were denied the chance to retain their world title after losing to France 16-7 in their semi-final and the young South African side ensured the Kiwis finished the competition held in France with two straight losses.
Baby Blacks playmaker Harry Plummer (FILE PHOTO).
The Baby Blacks were 25-21 ahead on the hour mark but after Bailyn Sullivan was yellow carded, South Africa took control with three tries in the final quarter.
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Blues winger Caleb Clarke scored a late consolation try in the final minutes as New Zealand's campaign came to a disappointing end.
In the final, France led throughout the contest before England threatened with a revival in the last 17 minutes, but it proved too little, too late.
French first five-eighth Louis Carbonel kicked seven penalties before Adrien Seguret's 74th minute try put the hosts out of reach, at 33-18, and an English consolation score couldn't quieten France's jubilant celebrations as they won the title on home soil.
It is not the worst performance by the Baby Blacks since the World Rugby Championship began in 2008. The New Zealanders finished fifth in 2016 after failing to qualify for the semi-finals and they came fourth in 2013.
AT A GLANCE
Final: France 33 (Cameron Woki, Adrien Seguret tries; Louis Carbonnel con, 7 pen) England 25 (Jordan Olowofela 2, Joe Heyes tries; James Grayson 2 con, Marcus Smith 2 pen). HT: 14-8.
Third place play-off: South Africa 42 (Tyrone Green 2, Sazi Sandi, Ruan Nortje, Wandisile Simelane, Ruan Vermaak tries; Gianni Lombard 5 con) New Zealand 30 (Jay Renton, Harry Plummer, Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, Caleb Clarke tries; Plummer 2 con, 2 pen). HT: 14-25
- Stuff
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