Junior Springboks Rally To Defeat Argentina 36-25 In TRC U20 Opener
Junior Springboks Rally To Defeat Argentina 36-25 In TRC U20 Opener
Recap the live updates and scores from the South Africa Junior Springboks and Argentina Los Pumitas match at the Rugby Championship U20 opener.
In the second half of the 2025 Rugby Championship U20 opener, the Junior Springboks demonstrated remarkable resilience and tactical acumen, overcoming a 25-15 deficit at halftime to secure a 36-25 victory over Argentina's Pumitas.
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The Baby Boks initiated a dominant offensive display, scoring three tries, including notable contributions from Haashim Pead and Gino Cupido.
Argentina, despite a strong first half, managed only one try in the latter period, reflecting a significant shift in momentum.
South Africa's possession and territory statistics improved markedly, underscoring its strategic adjustments and relentless pursuit on home soil at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Recap the live updates and scores from South Africa Junior Springboks vs. Argentina Los Pumitas:
Junior Springboks Win TRC U20 Opener
Final: South Africa 36, Argentina 25
It was a game of two halves. as Argentina was in great form in the first half, but was unable to handle a Junior Springboks offensive assault in the second half of the game.
The Baby Boks did enough in the first half, trailing 25-15 going into the locker room, to give themselves room to improve later in the game.
After scoring two tries in the first half, Los Pumitas were only able to muster one try in the second half.
SA U20 scored three tries in the second half, including a second from Haashim Pead and a try from Gino Cupido.
South Africa's #JuniorBoks take the spoils against Argentina in a nail-biting second #TRCU20 match in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium ✅ pic.twitter.com/xiKZ1GNuRk
— TheRugbyChampionship (@SanzarTRC) May 1, 2025
Massive Hit From Gino Cupido - 76'
South Africa 36, Argentina 25
10 Minutes Left - 70'
South Africa 36, Argentina 25
Argentina scrum at its 5m line after an SA penalty, but the Baby Boks have been relentless in the second half, with a few potential tries being called back.
South Africa fans are dancing and feel like they have this game in hand.
Cupido Scores! - 60'
South Africa 36, Argentina 25
Gino Cupido catches a pass out wide and takes it over the line, as the Junior Springboks have dominated for the bulk of the second half.
Vusi Moyo makes his first conversion of the game, after coming on for Kyle Smith.
Possession, Territory Swing Toward Boks - 59'
South Africa 29, Argentina 25
After maintaining possession for only 45% of the first half, the Junior Springboks have possessed for 66% of the second half.
Territory is a similar story, with 51% in the first half and 60% in the second half so far.
Riley Norton Scores - 52'
South Africa 29, Argentina 25
Junior Springboks captain Riley Norton gets the score after multiple efforts.
The Boks retake the lead. Feels as if SA finally has leaned into tactics, rather than solely relying on athleticism.
Baby Boks Gain Momentum - 51'
Argentina 25, South Africa 22
The Junior Springboks have regained momentum in this game and are about to score to take the lead.
Pass From Jooste Leads To Pead Try - 48'
Argentina 25, South Africa 22
Cheswill Jooste's last-ditch effort creates another Haashim Pead score, and the Baby Boks stay in this game.
Second Half Begins
Argentina 25, South Africa 15
Argentina scores nearly immediately after halftime, with Felipe Ledesma taking it across the line.
Argentina continues its strong start.
Social Reactions At Halftime
Some ridiculous pace in this Baby Bok backline! #TRCU20
— Conductor Bets 🏉 (@BrendonWessels) May 1, 2025
Argentina are showing good tactical kicking #TRCU20
— RUGGY RUGBY 🇳🇿 (@RuggarRugby) May 1, 2025
Argentina u20s on another level. Best team in the competition #TRCU20
— BokScrum (@BokScrum1211) May 1, 2025
Halftime
Argentina 20, South Africa 15
Two tries for each team, but penalty kicks are the difference. Argentina is up as the teams head into the locker room for halftime.
Lescano Responds!
Argentina 20, South Africa 15
Argentina creates great movement after a lineout to get the ball outside to Lescano, who gets his breakaway try this time. No doubt. Well-played from Los Pumitas.
Argentina goes up.
Argentina Knock-On Foils Breakaway Try - 33'
South Africa 15, Argentina 13
Bautista Lescano knock-on voids a breakaway try by the Argentina player.
Still, Pumitas have stayed in this game with strong form.
Argentina Knock-On At Try-line - 30'
South Africa 15, Argentina 13
Los Pumitas nearly score again, but they lose the ball at the try line.
Benedet Makes From Long - 27'
South Africa 15, Argentina 13
Rafael Benedet makes a penalty kick from long distance to bring his team within two points of the Baby Boks.
A lot of scoring in this first half, and there's still 13 minutes left.
Erasmus Scores With Little Resistance - 24'
South Africa 15, Argentina 10
Defensive lapse on the part of Argentina allows South Africa to score another try.
Demitre Erasmus takes it across the line.
The wind interferes with Kyle Smith's conversion. He tries a drop kick but misses.
Senilllosa Responds! - 19'
South Africa 10, Argentina 10
Argentina maintaining with South Africa in the match.
Pascal Senillosa scores. Rafael Benedet makes the conversion.
Haashim Pead Scores! - 16'
South Africa 10, Argentina 3
And the Baby Boks get their first try of the day.
Kyle Smith makes the conversion.
Jerónimo Llorens Draws Pumitas Even - 12'
South Africa 3, Argentina 3
Argentina get its first points of the game to draw the game even.
Pumitas Block Kyle Smith Chip, Nearly Score - 9'
The Junior Springboks are able to gather and recover.
Kyle Smith Makes Penalty Kick - 5'
South Africa 3, Argentina 0
First points of the day on the board from the Junior Springboks.
Baby Boks Gain Territory - 3'
South Africa 0, Argentina 0
Kyle Smith tries to kick ahead to a wing, but the ball goes out of bounds. Junior Boks maintain their territory gain, though.
Game Begins - 0'
South Africa 0, Argentina 0
The Junior Springboks kick off to Argentina, and we're underway at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Australia U20, NZ Draw
In the first game of the 2025 Rugby Championship U20, Australia drew even with New Zealand after regulation. Australia was able to steal a line-out and make its way up the field for a try and conversion. Final score: 29-29.
Next up, South Africa Junior Springboks and Argentina Los Pumitas.
SA U20 Vs. Argentina Rugby Kickoff Time
The match kicks off at 10 a.m. ET on May 1 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, South Africa.
How To Watch Junior Springboks Vs. Argentina U20
South Africa Junior Springboks Lineup
- Oliver Reid
- Sethu Mnebelele
- Simphiwe Ngobese
- Riley Norton
- JJ Theron
- Thando Biyela
- Matt Romao
- Wandile Mlaba
- Haashim Pead
- Kyle Smith
- Gino Cupido
- Albie Bester
- Demitre Erasmus
- Cheswill Jooste
- Gilermo Mentoe
Substitutes: 16. Juandré Schoeman, 17. Ranon Fouché, 18. JD Erasmus, 19. Morné Venter, 20. Batho Hlekani, 21. Ceano Everson, 22. Vusi Moyo, 23. JC Mars
Argentina Los Pumitas Lineup
- Juan Ignacio Rodriguez
- Tadeo Ledesma Arocena
- Gael Galván
- Alejandro Barrios
- Tomás Duclos
- Santiago Neyra
- Tomás Dande
- Agustín García Campos
- Jerónimo Llorens
- Rafael Benedet
- Aquiles Vieyra
- Felipe Ledesma
- Pedro Coll
- Bautista Lescano
- Pascal Senillosa
Substitutes: 16. Diego Correa, 17. Jerónimo Otaño, 18. Valentin Vincent Vidal, 19. Jeremy Annand, 20. Pampa Storey, 21. Jerónimo Sorondo, 22. Félix Corleto, 23. Ramón Fernandez Miranda
How To Watch The Rugby Championship U20
For US viewers, the 2025 Rugby Championship U20 will be streamed on FloRugby and the FloSports app.
Junior Springboks Fixtures
- Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 10:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Argentina
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - 10:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Australia
- Sunday, May 11, 2025 - 10:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. New Zealand
Los Pumitas Fixtures
- Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 10:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Argentina
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - 8 a.m. ET: New Zealand vs. Argentina
- Sunday, May 11, 2025 - 8 a.m. ET: Argentina vs. Australia
The 2025 Rugby Championship U20 Schedule
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Sunday, May 11, 2025
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.