They had done everything to make themselves believe. Winners of all three pool matches and then executioners of the Baby Blacks in the semi-final, France Under-20s arrived at the 2026 World Championship final as serious title contenders. On Saturday 18 July, in Tbilisi, South Africa decided otherwise (16-5). France finish as world runners-up, at the end of an adventure as appealing as it is frustrating.

A perfect record right up to the final

France’s run will be remembered as a collective success. In the pool stage, Gabin Garault’s side first saw off Fiji (45-15) on 27 June, with a hat-trick from their star wing and a flawless kicking display from Diego Jurd. Five days later, Spain were blown away by the French attack (57-32), with Matheo Frisach, Hugo Avogadro and Raphaël Audebert sharing the tries in an attacking festival.

The third match offered more resistance. Against a stubborn Australia, France had to work hard to win 34-29 on 7 July and finish the pool stage with a perfect record. Three matches, three wins, and a place in the last four earned in style.

The benchmark semi-final against the Baby Blacks

The high point of this campaign will remain the semi-final on 13 July. Facing New Zealand, France produced a match of rare intensity, behind for long spells before turning over the three-time world champions in the closing stages.

Trailing 19-22 after a Mika Muliaina penalty in the 71st minute, France found the resources to snatch qualification. In the 75th, Adrien Drault dived over in the New Zealand in-goal, before Diego Jurd landed the winning conversion (26-22). A brace from Garault and a try from Elia Masi had kept France in the hunt throughout. A benchmark win, which put France in a strong position going into the final.

A final decided on the details

Delayed by a violent storm over Tbilisi, with rain and thunder to match, the final eventually got under way in dreadful conditions. And against South Africa, the script was very different. As early as the 8th minute, Springbok fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed opened the scoring with a penalty (0-3), then added another in the 39th (0-6). At the break, France still had not scored and were chasing the game.

The second half revived hope. In the 45th minute, Raphaël Audebert scored France’s only try of the match to blow the game wide open again (5-6). But France never managed to get in front.

On the hour, South Africa’s power told: a Markus Muller try in the 66th, converted by Ahmed (5-13). Ahmed added a final penalty in the 78th (5-16) to take his personal tally to eleven points and settle a final the Springboks controlled. Where France lacked a clinical edge and failed to convert their only try, South Africa took every chance they had. For the Springboks, already champions in 2025 at New Zealand’s expense (23-15), this win seals a second consecutive U20 world title: France came up against the holders.

A generation that left its mark on the tournament

The disappointment of the final act should not erase the richness of this campaign. With six tries across the tournament, Gabin Garault established himself as one of the competition’s leading finishers. Around him, Diego Jurd and Luka Keletaona provided accuracy off the tee, while Matheo Frisach, Raphaël Audebert and Lucas Andjisseramatchi regularly found their way over the line.

This silver medal will leave a bitter taste tonight. But reaching a World Championship final by knocking out New Zealand is no small thing. Several of these players will soon be filling Top 14 and Pro D2 team sheets, and some, in time, those of the France senior side. The title slipped away in Tbilisi. The talent is not in doubt.