Junior Springboks: Team for final, kick off time, how to watch
· The South African
The Junior Springboks and France will meet for the first time in the final of the global U20 tournament, which kicks off in Tbilisi on Saturday.
Coach Kevin Foote has made just two adjustments to his forward pack, both in the loose trio. Wasi Vyambwera starts at No 8, with Gert Kemp moving to the bench where he is expected to provide impact later in the contest. Risima Khosa will start at flank.
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There is only one enforced change in the backline, with Alzeadon Felix coming in at fullback for Luan Giliomee, who received a red card in the semi-final.
The final between the Junior Springboks and France will take place at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, and kick off is at 18:30 (SA time) on Saturday.
It will be broadcast on SuperSport, but it is important to note that it won’t be on the Grandstand or Rugby channel as the JWC final overlaps with the Springboks-Wales Test match. Instead, it will be broadcast on the SS Action channel 210.
Junior Springboks aiming to go back-to-back
The Junior Boks, champions in 2025 after defeating New Zealand in last year’s final, will be aiming to become the first South African side to win back-to-back world titles.
Foote, who is in his second season at the helm of the Junior Boks, said the squad has used the week effectively to prepare for a formidable French outfit.
“This group has been together since the beginning of the year and they understand the way we want to play,” said Foote.
“We’ve used this week to sharpen our readiness and focus on the areas where we felt we could improve.
“The pleasing aspect of this group is their honesty and accountability. The players are open with each other in their assessments, and together we’ve identified solutions and worked hard on those areas. We believe we have prepared well for what will be a massive challenge.”
Junior Bok team to face France in Tbilisi:
15 Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
14 Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls)
13 Markus Muller (DHL Stormers)
12 Ethan Adams (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
10 Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers)
9 Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls)
8 Wasi Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
7 Luke Cannon (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
6 Risima Khosa (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
5 JD Hattingh (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
4 Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Buls)
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 Thomas Beling (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
21 Gert Kemp (DHL Stormers)
22 Jayden Brits (DHL Stormers)
23 Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Stormers)
Match information:
Date: Saturday, 18 July 2026
Venue: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi (Georgia)
Kick-off: 18h30 (SA time)
Referee: Reuben Keane
Broadcast: SuperSport