England U20 player ratings vs South Africa | World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026

England U20 player ratings: England’s U20s exploded out of the blocks in Tbilisi, playing direct, physical rugby and taking an early lead through tighthead Ollie Streeter.

South Africa weathered that storm and gradually imposed themselves through a dominant set-piece and ferocious defence before the contest was turned completely on its head by Seb Kelly’s first-half red card.

The flanker’s needless headbutt left England with an almost impossible task and, despite an admirable effort from Andy Titterall’s side, the Junior Boks ruthlessly capitalised.

1. Oliver Scola – 6.5
Came under considerable pressure from Danie Kruger but largely held his own before departing in the second half. A solid enough shift in extremely difficult circumstances.

2. Jimmy Staples – 8
Forced off and later returned after the HIA chaos, but refused to throw in the towel. Produced a big carry that helped create Jonny Weimann’s try and battled away relentlessly against a physical pack.

3. Ollie Streeter – 7
The Leicester Tigers prop used all of his 121kg frame to crash over under the posts after just four minutes. Put himself about physically and never shirked the fight before being replaced.

4. Elliot Williams – 7
One unfortunate knock-on gifted South Africa field position and England struggled to get consistent value from their second-row resources. Fought the Junior Boks’ fire with fire with his giant frame.

5. Aiden Ainsworth-Cave – 7
Looked involved before a HIA ended his evening early. Never returned, making England’s task in the tight five even more difficult, although Patrick Hogg did a fine job in his abscence.

6. Tate Williams – 8.5
A huge physical presence throughout. Made his carries count, defended with real venom and deserved his late try. A courageous performance from a player who kept charging long after the contest had slipped away.

7. Seb Kelly – 2.5
Started brightly with a big carry and an early penalty win. Then came an appalling and totally needless headbutt on Luan Giliomee. Total brainrot from the flanker and a moment that completely changed the game. You can imagine it’ll be a difficult week for him but here’s hoping he takes the learnings from this incredibly dull moment.

8. Connor Treacey – 8
The Bath skipper put in a huge physical shift before departing after 53 minutes. One powerful carry after another and led from the front while England still had a full complement.

9. Lucas Friday – 7
A good early clearance settled nerves and his kicking game was generally useful. Produced a tidy box-kick exit and was involved in the move that led to Shields’ try. A couple of less-than-sympathetic passes for his forwards prevented a higher mark.

10. Hugh Shields – 8.5
Kicked England into and then back into the lead before showing excellent awareness to burrow over from close range, getting lower than the giant Junior Bok defenders around him. Kept plugging away despite the circumstances grabbed a second try late on. Valiant.

11. Sam Winters – 6
Barely saw any meaningful attacking ball and spent much of the evening chasing kicks and competing in the air. Worked hard but struggled to influence proceedings.

12. Will Knight – 6
Absolutely crunched at times by a South African midfield that physically bossed this area of the game. Couldn’t impose himself as England would have hoped.

13. Nick Lilley – 5
An evening to forget. Fumbled a restart, conceded a needless offside penalty and never really settled. Replaced early in the second half.

14. Tyler Offiah – 6
England simply couldn’t get him involved in attack. Guilty of a couple of mediocre defensive moments and was largely starved of opportunities.

15. George Pearson – 7
Looked lively whenever given a glimpse of space. Unfortunately spilled a difficult offload with the South African line beckoning and was beaten by Maake for one of the Junior Bok tries. More good than bad overall.

Replacements – 6.5
Did their very best in impossible circumstances after England were reduced to 14 men. Jonny Weimann took his try well, while the replacement forwards continued battling despite spending large periods under pressure at scrum and lineout time. Hogg was excellence before having to leave the field himself.