Relentless Baby Boks claim title
But the Baby Boks are just a little bit better.
New Zealand's next generation of stars restored the nation's reputation at under-20 level but could not quite get the glory in Italy yesterday.
They were beaten 23-15 by South Africa in the final of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship at the Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo.
The Baby Blacks were chasing their first world junior title since 2017, a significant drought given they thoroughly dominated the early years of the tournament.
But the power in world rugby right now — at all levels, it seems — is South Africa.
They were too big, too relentless and too utterly determined to take the trophy home for the first time in 13 years.
New Zealand had to do a lot of defending, and while they did it with courage, it eventually took its toll.
South Africa made the perfect start to the final when they drove from a lineout and scored a try within three minutes.
Classy first five Vusi Moyo, already with 50 points for the tournament, added the conversion.
New Zealand fought back after 15 minutes when, from a nifty lineout move, lock
Jayden Sa crashed over in the corner.
Things went south when prop Sika Pole was sin-binned for a high shot that was quickly upgraded to a 20-minute red card, but South African could add only a penalty in that period, while losing a man of their own to a yellow card, to lead 13-8 at halftime.
Rico Simpson and Moyo exchanged penalties as the game stayed in the balance heading into the final quarter.
The Baby Blacks went back to 14 men when lock Xavier Treacy was binned, and the Baby Boks scored a cracking try thanks to an inch-perfect kick from outstanding halfback Hassiem Pead.
Winger Maloni Kunawave scored a late consolation try for the New Zealanders.
Otago halfback Dylan Pledger capped a fine tournament with another solid performance, while Southland midfielder Tayne Harvey got 20 minutes off the bench.
'It was a tough game for the boys, a tough pill to swallow,' New Zealand captain Manumaua Letiu said.
'South Africa showed us how to dominate in the collisions and we couldn't get our attack right.
'It's been an awesome campaign. We've built a really strong culture, and to see New Zealand back in the final makes me proud.' U20 final
The scores
South Africa 23
Xola Nyali, Gilermo Mentoe tries; Vusi Moyo 2 con, 3 pen.
New Zealand 15
Jayden Sa, Maloni Kunawave tries; Will Cole con, Rico Simpson pen.
Halftime: South Africa 13-8.
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