South Africa U20 are the defending champions, although this is a completely new team given it is age-group level. The form of the Baby Boks has, however, been good, so they should cover the handicap.
SA U20 Dominant Recently
- South Africa have won 10 of their last 11 fixtures.
- South Africa are the defending champions.
- Uruguay have lost 3 of their last 4 matches.
Baby Boks Defending Champs
The Junior Springboks recently won the U20 International Series in South Africa, thrashing Chile 97-0, Fiji 82-25, and Georgia 57-14.
Before that, South Africa secured their maiden U20 Rugby Championship title earlier this year after they defeated Argentina 48-21 and Australia 56-17 before drawing 29-29 with New Zealand.
At the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship, the Junior Boks thumped Australia 73-17, beat England 32-22, and thrashed Scotland 73-14 in the group stages. They subsequently beat Argentina 48-24 in the semi-finals before beating rivals New Zealand 23-15 in the final.
South Africa have been the team to beat recently at the under-20 level, and will fancy their chances to start the defence of the title with an easy victory over Uruguay in their opening pool game.
Uruguay U20 Minnows at this Level
Uruguay last played in a tournament at the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy. They lost 25-7 to Kenya, 32-15 to the USA, and beat the Netherlands 32-16 before losing 75-22 to Japan to finish fourth overall.
Uruguay have lost three of their last four fixtures, and look very unlikely to cause much trouble in their Pool A opener against the defending champions, South Africa.
Squads
South Africa
Forwards: Oliver Reid, Rambo Kubheka, Jordan Jooste, Danie Kruger, Luan van der Berg, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Liam van Wyk, Heinrich Theron, Jaythen Orange, JD Hattingh, Kebotile Maake, Risima Khosa, Luke Cannon, Wasi Vyambwera, Vuyo Gwiji, Gert Kemp, Thomas Beling
Backs: Hendré Schoeman, Jayden Brits, Yaqeen Ahmed, Ethan Adams, Samuel Badenhorst, Markus Muller, Luan Giliomee, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, Cheswill Jooste, Jack Benade, Jordan Steenkamp, Akahluwa Boqwana, Alzeadon Felix
Uruguay
Forwards: Alex Sonneveld, Dapto Rodriguez, Felipe Costa, German Gonzalez, Guillermo Curuchet, Ignacio Merli, Jose Candia, Juan Bessio, Juan Sagario, Manuel Ponte, Mateo Guarch, Nicolas Mattson, Oryx Kirk, Pedro Suarez, Piero Veglio, Sebastian Dalmao, Sebastian Perez
Backs: Alfonso Fernandez, Bautista Menchaca, Bruno Baccino, Bruno Primavesi, Francisco Lawlor, Joaquin Fresnedo, Juan Francisco Pereira, Justo Ferrario, Mateo Acosta, Mateo Ibarburu, Nicolas Pittaluga, Pierre Cotarmanech, Vicente Alvarez