Defending champions South Africa will have the opportunity to retain their World Rugby U20 Championship title after powering past England to secure a place in Sunday’s final against France.

The Junior Springboks overcame a strong early challenge from England to claim an impressive victory in Tbilisi, extending their winning streak in the competition to 10 matches.

England appeared in control during the opening half and led 17-7 before their fortunes changed dramatically when flanker Seb Kelly received a permanent red card in the 32nd minute for a headbutt on South African forward Luan Giliomee.

Despite playing with 14 men, England showed resilience and managed to take a 20-12 lead into halftime. However, South Africa capitalized on their numerical advantage after the break, crossing for five second-half tries to take command of the contest and book their place in the championship decider.

Junior Springboks captain Siphosethu Mnebelele praised his team’s composure after weathering England’s early pressure.

“England gave us a tough time in the first half and it was the same in the second half, but we managed to keep calm and get the win,” Mnebelele said.

“We know how well-coached France are and it’s a final, so we’ll work really hard on our preparations.”

England captain Connor Treacey acknowledged South Africa’s quality but praised his side’s effort in difficult circumstances.

“South Africa are a great rugby nation and ran away with it in the end, but I’m so proud of our effort,” Treacey said.

“We started well, but it’s all about the end result because under-20s rugby is brutal.”

England made a flying start when tight-head prop Ollie Streeter crashed over from close range, with Hugh Shields adding the conversion. South Africa hit back through fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed, who showed strength to force his way over before converting his own try to level the scores.

Shields added a penalty before extending England’s lead further, collecting a short pass from scrum-half Lucas Friday to score near the posts.

The turning point came shortly after Kelly’s dismissal, with Ahmed producing a brilliant cross-field kick that found winger Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, who touched down in the left corner.

South Africa carried that momentum into the second half and needed just two minutes to strike again. Giliomee made a powerful break before putting Rasivhaga away for his second try of the afternoon.

Giliomee continued to influence the contest, providing another clever offload that sent flanker Kebotile Maake over in the corner.

Maake grabbed his second try later in the match, while Rasivhaga completed a memorable hat-trick. Luke Cannon also crossed for the Junior Springboks as South Africa pulled away.

England managed late tries through Jonny Weimann and Tate Williams, while Shields added further points, but the damage had already been done. South Africa’s march was briefly slowed when Giliomee himself was shown a red card for dangerous contact in the air, but the result was never seriously threatened.

The victory sends the defending champions into another Junior World Championship final, where they will face France in a blockbuster showdown for the title on Sunday.