Holders South Africa will tackle hosts France in the final of the rugby under-21 world championships on Sunday.
The Springboks cantered to a 40-23 victory over New Zealand in the semi-finals while France overcame Australia 32-17 to gain revenge for their defeat in last year's semi in Argentina.
France produced a stirring second-half display to overturn a 17-12 half-time deficit to score 20 unanswered points after the break.
Australia took just two minutes to get on the scoreboard through hooker Josh Holmes on the counter-attack. But with flying wingers Florian Benos and Yan Fior doing the damage, and scoring a brace of tries apiece among the hosts' five-try haul, the Australians capitulated.
South Africa also came from behind at the break to dominate in a stunning second period.
The Boks opened up an early 10-0 lead through winger Cedric Mkhize's converted try and a second successful kick from Isma-eel Dollie, but tries from Ryan Wilson and George Pisi helped the All Blacks to a 17-13 lead at half-time.
But second half scores from Keegan Daniel, Wihelm Steenkamp and Pierre Spies wrapped up a convincing victory for the champions.
AFP, PERTH, Australia
A resurgent Australia meets Ireland at Perth's Subiaco Oval tomorrow night determined to maintain the freewheeling style that delivered two big-scoring wins over England.
Under new coach John Connolly, the Wallabies' backline rediscovered running rugby in those two Tests, although five-eighth Steven Larkham does not expect the well-drilled Irish to provide the same possession as an undermanned England side.
In a none-too-subtle dig at former coach Eddie Jones, Larkham said that the Wallabies were reveling in the extra playmaking freedom Connolly has given them, and would continue to mix it up against Ireland.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Taiwan yesterday survived Bosnia and Herzegovina to win their Davis Cup World Group I tie at the Taipei Tennis Center. The tight series started on Saturday with world No. 123 Jason Tseng losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Mirza Basic in the opening singles matchup. However, teammate Tony Wu kept the tie even, dominating world No. 86 Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 6-1. Yesterday, 24-year-old Ray Ho and partner 25-year-old Hsu Yu-hsiou kept up the momentum, making short work of Basic and Nerman Fatic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Tseng then suffered another defeat, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to Dzumhur in a brutal match that lasted more than two