Ireland U20s have reached their first World Championship final since 2016, after beating South Africa U20s 31 - 12 at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
The Junior Springboks had disappointed in the group stages and scraped through to the semis as other teams faltered, but they upped their performance levels with their first-half showing today.
Their intensity and kicking game put Ireland under a lot of pressure in the opening 40, but thankfully they did not possess a cutting edge to punish their opponents.
In what was an incredibly tight and tense half, Ireland took the lead after James Nicholson finished well off a Sam Prendergast cross-field kick, in one of their few visits into the South African 22.
Diarmuid Mangan had also gone close earlier, but his stretch for the line came up short.
Ireland U20s Come Out On Top In Tense First-Half
Here's that try from Nicholson 🔥
Nice cross-field and a tough conversion from Prendergast.@PwCIreland #futureisgreenpic.twitter.com/sNMA2l5myp
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 9, 2023
WHAT. A. TRY 🍀
Pure, unadulterated power from the beast that is Brian Gleeson 🔥
Ireland 14 - 7 South Africa@PwCIreland #futureisgreenpic.twitter.com/pZ7ulP3nvr
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 9, 2023
READ HERE: 5 Players From The 2008 Ireland U20s With Different Journeys In Life
South Africa came out on fire in the second-half, and scored early through scrum-half Imad Khan.
This in turn seemed to wake up Ireland, and they went over soon after, as Brian Gleeson powered through multiple South African defenders off a slick line-out move.
In what was a carbon copy of Nicholson's first-half score, the winger went over for his second after another cross-field kick from Sam Prendergast.
Sam Berman was brought off the bench in place of centre Hugh Gavin, and put in a magnificent showing that was highlighted by a beautifully taken try to put the game out of sight for Ireland.
Prendergast added another penalty, before South Africa grabbed a consolation try for themselves.
Ireland will now face the winner of this evening's other semi between France and England, next Friday at 6pm.
Prendergast to Nicholson, you know how it's ending.
Ireland have since scored another through substitute Sam Berman, who has been brilliant since coming on. Yet another talent from this U20s squad!!
Ireland 28 - 7 South Africa@PwCIreland #futureisgreenpic.twitter.com/EaFRGfm7kU
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 9, 2023
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐓𝐑𝐘! 🟢
Sam Berman finishes off a brilliant move from Ireland!
☘️ 28-7 🇿🇦#WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/zIDa0Bl25c
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 9, 2023
SEE ALSO: The Fascinating Journeys Of Ireland's 2012 U20s Rugby Team
