Pool winners South Africa, France and New Zealand are joined in the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship 2025 by Argentina as the best second-placed team.
The semi-final line-up has been confirmed for the World Rugby U20 Championship 2025, with South Africa to face Argentina and France to tackle New Zealand in the Italian city of Viadana on 14 July.
South Africa were already assured of their place in the semi-finals as Pool A winners following bonus-point victories over Australia and England, but they were joined by France and New Zealand, as Pool B and C winners respectively, and Argentina as the best second-placed team after Los Pumitas secured a late try-bonus point to pip defending champions England.
England looked set to join the pool winners in the semi-finals on a dramatic final day of pool action on Wednesday after a hat-trick from captain Kepueli Tuipulotu secured a 36-33 win over Australia, and then France ran amok against Argentina to lead 38-7 at half-time.
However, Argentina emerged in the second half with a simple target: score three tries for a bonus point to secure a first semi-final since they hosted the tournament in 2019, with 11 points to England's 10. Two came before the hour mark but it was only in the 73rd minute that replacement hooker Jerónimo Otano dotted down the crucial try in what would be a 52-26 win for France.
France and New Zealand, with nine titles between them, will meet in the first semi-final at 18:00 (SA Time) in Viadana, with South Africa against Argentina following at 20:30 (SA Time). The fifth-place semi-final between England and Wales will open proceedings at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella at 15:30 (SA Time).