France claim Youth Olympics gold after holding off South Africa comeback

France have been crowned the men’s rugby sevens gold medallists at the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games, with a game-defining 16-point haul from Simon Laharrague inspiring a 26-19 win over the previously unbeaten South Africa.

South Africa made history by overcoming eventual bronze medallists Argentina 24-12 in the semi-finals, which ensured they would claim a sevens medal for the first time at the Youth Olympics, but whether it was gold or silver remained to be seen.

Team France advanced to the gold medal decider after a 58-0 demolition of Canada, backing up their relentless form from day one. France had scored more than 130 points across their three pool stage matches and conceded just seven.

Juan De Bod was the referee out in the middle at Complexe Iba Mar Diop, overseeing the battle for the competition’s ultimate prize between two heavyweight sides. Laharrague was first on the scoresheet, converting his own try inside the first two minutes.

South Africa hit back through Darnell Deleport, but the French effectively cancelled out that score with a Doryan Petitgent try. Laharrague again found the try line with about 70 seconds left in the half, with France leading 21-5.

There were seven minutes between gold medal jubilation for Fance, who defended that 16-point advantage for almost five minutes. But South Africa breathed new life into the contest with Jake Dave scoring two tries in as many minutes.

It was a two-point ball game with 58 seconds left, as both teams set up for a restart that would have a heavy impact on the result. France ended up securing Youth Olympic gold with Gaspard Laharrague having the last point-scoring say.

Argentina secured their spot on the podium with a clinical 36-5 triumph over Canada, with a hat-trick to Federico Anderson the icing on the cake. Both France and Argentina have medalled in men’s sevens at the sport’s three Youth Olympics editions.

Germany defeated Japan 26-19 to finish fifth, with Remy Folnovic touching down for a crucial score inside the final 30 minutes. In the other playoff, Senegal overcame Uganda in a five-point thriller to take out seventh place.

Women’s sevens also got underway on Monday, with Kenya and Australia claiming first-round wins in Pool A. Madagascar claimed an early upset by defeating the United States of America 12-10 just after midway local time.

Australia held on for a 21-15 win against the People’s Republic of China, which kept their unbeaten start alive at the Youth Games. Madagascar went two-for-two after beating Spain 19-12, before Czechia were victorious against the USA.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 – WOMEN’S POOL MATCHES AND FINALS

09:40 – China vs Senegal (Women’s Pool A)

10:02 – Australia vs Kenya (Women’s Pool A)

10:24 – Czechia vs Madagascar (Women’s Pool B)

10:46 – USA vs Spain (Women’s Pool B)

13:08 – 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool B (Women’s 5–8 Playoff)

13:30 – 3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool A (Women’s 5–8 Playoff)

13:52 – 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B (Women’s Semi-final)

14:14 – 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A (Women’s Semi-final)

15:52 – Loser Match 13 vs Loser Match 14 (Women’s 7th-place Playoff)

16:14 – Winner Match 13 vs Winner Match 14 (Women’s 5th-place Playoff)

16:36 – Loser Match 15 vs Loser Match 16 (Women’s Bronze Medal Match)

17:03 – Winner Match 15 vs Winner Match 16 (Women’s Gold Medal Match)