IRB Junior World Championship

New Zealand and South Africa book final date

ESPN Staff

New Zealand will tackle South Africa in this year's IRB Junior World Championship final after they saw off Wales and Argentina respectively in the semi-finals.

New Zealand booked their place in the tournament finale with a 30-6 victory over Wales in the first of the semi-finals that were staged at Newlands in Cape Town.

Tries from Jimmy Tupou, Jason Emery, Jordan Taufua and Ofa Tu'ungafasi carried the four-time champions to a deserved victory and saw them exact revenge on Wales who claimed victory over the Baby Blacks - the first they had suffered in the history of the competition - in the pool stages.

Reflecting on his side's return to top form, New Zealand coach Rob Penney said; "It was difficult circumstances last time we played Wales obviously and I was just really rapt that the boys had been able to grow over the last 10 days or so. I think technically they did a really good job and got the right outcome so it was great."

They were joined by South Africa after they thumped Argentina 35-3 thanks to two tries from Raymond Rhule and further scores from Jan Serfontein and Mark Pretorius.

Junior Boks head coach Dawie Theron lauded his team's defence and ability to adapt to the conditions. "We again did not concede a try, even though Argentina hammered at our line," he said. "It was a massive effort by the team to keep them scoreless and I am very proud of the effort."

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