England U20s have retained their Junior World Champions crown beating South Africa 21-20 in the final today.
South Africa took a 10-3 lead thanks to a try from Jesse Kriel but a long-range penalty from Aaron Morris and a try in the corner from Nathan Earle edged England 11-10 in front at half-time.
A penalty for each side made it 14-13 before Joel Conlon’s try from a well-worked lineout drive opened a crucial eight-pout lead.
Kriel’s second for the Baby Boks and the conversion from Handre Pollard closed the gap to a single point with only 15 minutes to go.
Pollard tried to clinch it with a drop-goal but he was off-target and England managed to hold on to the ball for the last seven minutes to win the game.
*Read the full report, analysis and reactions in Sunday’s edition of The Rugby Paper.
