England U20s player ratings vs South Africa: Junior World Championship

Monday, 13 July 2026 at 19:29

byCharlie Elliott

England player ratings after a valiant semi-final defeat against the Junior Springboks in the Junior World Championship.

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South Africa 53-32 England

England made a flying start as Ollie Streeter crossed within five minutes, but South Africa responded through Yaqeen Ahmed after sustained pressure. Hugh Shields added a penalty before scoring a close-range try to strengthen England's lead.

However, Seb Kelly's red card for a headbutt shifted momentum, allowing Khuthadzo Rasivhaga to score in the corner. Despite playing with 14 men, Shields' flawless kicking helped England take a deserved 20-12 lead into half-time.

South Africa turned the game around in the second half, with Khuthadzo Rasivhaga completing a hat-trick and Kebotile Maake scoring twice after powerful attacking phases.

The Baby Boks scored 28 unanswered points in just over 10 second half minutes to take control, before England responded through Jonny Weimann and Tate Williams.

Luke Cannon's score and Ahmed’s long-range penalties, alongside Luan Giliomee’s 20-minute red card, added further drama late on.

It would be South Africa who secured their place in the final, despite a late try from Shields, and they will face France in Tbilisi.

For Andy Titterell's side, it was a performance to be incredibly proud of as they battled until the 80th minute, and kept going throughout the game despite the adversity of the red card.

England U20s player ratings

15 George Pearson — 7

Thrown into the side late after James Pater's injury, the Leicester Tigers youngster showed flashes of his attacking threat with a strong carry from deep and plenty of energy when given the ball.

He was unfortunate to lose possession close to the line and was bounced by Kebotile Maake in the corner for a try. Despite limited touches, he remained lively and came through a worrying aerial collision unscathed.

14 Tyler Offiah — 6

Limited opportunities meant the 20-year-old Bath back struggled to make much of an impact, although he looked assured when fielding a kick from deep. His afternoon was cut short by injury, forcing him off after 58 minutes.

13 Nick Lilley — 7

The 20-year-old Exeter Chiefs back's standout moment came with an excellent tackle to halt a dangerous line break before he was replaced after 52 minutes, with limited impact in attack.

With eight tackles, he was defensively solid.

12 Will Knight — 7

Knight, the 19-year-old Gloucester player, showed glimpses of quality despite a quiet outing. He was bumped off in the build-up to South Africa's first try but impressed with his playmaking and produced a lovely wide pass to release Offiah on one occasion.

11 Sam Winters — 6

Winters made a solid start with a strong carry from deep and impressed with his work under the high ball. However, he had limited opportunities to influence the game due to a lack of involvement.

10 Hugh Shields — 8

Remember the name Hugh Shields.

The youngest player in the squad at just 18 delivered a breakout performance. He showed bravery in defence, composure from the tee with a near-perfect kicking display, and quality in attack with strong handling, a break and offload to create a chance, before scoring from close range.

He also impressed under the high ball and produced a superb recovery after Cheswill Jooste’s kick. Shields marked a brilliant game with his second try of the match right at the end, before a failed attempt at a drop goal conversion.

9 Lucas Friday — 7

Celebrating his 20th birthday, the Harlequins scrum-half delivered an intelligent performance, impressing with his communication, accurate box kicking and smart decision-making.

He produced a clever switch of play from close range to help create Hugh Shields' try before being replaced after 54 minutes.

1 Oliver Scola — 7

Scrummaging was a real strength throughout, with the 20-year-old Northampton Saints prop more than holding his own against South Africa's front row after a solid shift at the set-piece.

2 Jimmy Staples — 7

The Harlequins forward endured a difficult start at the lineout, struggling with his first two throws, although he responded well with a strong clearout at the breakdown.

Forced off briefly for a head injury assessment after 26 minutes, he returned shortly after and improved as the game progressed, with an impressive 11 tackles.

Can also be commended for doing a full 80 minutes due to injuries elsewhere.

3 Ollie Streeter — 7

The 20-year-old Harlequins prop marked his presence with the opening try, powering over from close range after a solid start at the scrum.

He largely held his own against a physical South African pack, although his display was blemished by a costly turnover and a couple of penalties conceded.

4 Elliot Williams — 7

Williams put in plenty of hard work without seeing much of the ball, limiting his influence on the game. He did, however, show good defensive awareness to recover and intercept a pass after an earlier knock-on in a dangerous position. Made a decent eight tackles.

5 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave — 7

One of England's more experienced players despite being just 19, the Northampton Saints forward made his mark with an excellent lineout steal before his game was cut short by a head injury assessment after 25 minutes.

6 Tate Williams — 7

Williams made an encouraging impact, showing his work rate early with a turnover and a secure lineout take. His determination was rewarded later in the match as he finished off a pick-and-go with real desire to power over the line.

At just 19 years old, he showed good awareness and physicality throughout, particularly at the ruck.

7 Seb Kelly — 3

Kelly made a strong impact early on, winning a penalty with a powerful carry.

However, his performance unravelled after 32 minutes when he was shown a permanent red card for a needless headbutt on Luan Giliomee while on the floor, a costly lapse in discipline from the Sale Sharks youngster.

Still a bright talent who played well aside from that, but unfortunately the moment of madness was the turning point of the match.

8 Connor Treacy — 8

England's captain led from the front with a big carry in the build-up to the opening try and was a constant presence throughout the first half, making 13 carries.

The 20-year-old Bath forward added one more after the break before being replaced on 52 minutes, finishing with an impressive 14 carries.