Ireland power past South Africa to book World Rugby U20 Championship final spot

South Africa U20 12-31 Ireland U20

Ireland are through to the World Rugby U20 Championship final for just the second time, after an emphatic win against hosts South Africa at Athlone Stadium.

The Six Nations champions produced a patient and mature display to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games and book their place in the final of the junior World Cup for the first time since 2016.

Richie Murphy's side outclassed the Baby Boks in the second half, with Paddy and Gus McCarthy leading the way in a dominant scrum and maul, while Sam Prendergast put his kicking woes from earlier in the tournament well behind him, converting all four tries before landing a penalty late in the second half.

It wasn't just off the tee that Prendergast excelled, with the Leinster out-half dropping two glorious crossfield kicks into the hands of James Nicholson for Ireland's first and third tries, as No 8 Brian Gleeson and replacement centre Sam Berman crossed for further tries to see Ireland run out comfortable winners.

For head coach Richie Murphy, the most pleasing aspect of this win will be the composure shown by his side.

Ireland were a clear second best in the opening 40 minutes, struggling at the breakdown and inviting pressure on themselves with poor kicking from their own 22. However, their composure and patience in defence saw them constantly repel the South African attack, and Nicholson's first try just before the break gave them a psychological edge heading into half-time.

The Ulsterman's try on 37 minutes was just Ireland's second entry to the South African 22. Having been starved of possession courtesy of an aggressive South African defence, Ireland had to wait until the 33rd minute before their first real attacking opportunity.

It started