New Zealand vs South Africa U20 Predictions - New Zealand backed to cover handicap against Baby Boks

I am backing the hosts to cover the -6 handicap against the green and gold.

These sides did not meet in the 2023 World Cup. Any fixtures prior to that have little effect on this clash as players would have moved on since.

This is an exciting time for New Zealand U-20 rugby as the first age-level Rugby Championship kicks off. Over the last decade or so the Northern Hemisphere sides have started catching up to the likes of New Zealand, particularly because they have age-level tournaments outside of the World Cup.

While the Baby All Blacks will be keen on getting off to a strong start on home soil, this tournament will also be used as preparation for the World Cup later this year.

In the U-20 World Cup last year, New Zealand finished 7th in the competition, beating Georgia 50-26. They lost to Australia in the Cup semi-final 44-35.

Promising Crusaders flyhalf, Cooper Grant starts for the hosts while there will be a keen eye on Chiefs winger, Frank Vaenuku. Up front, Vernon Bason captains from hooker.

South Africa, much like their counterparts, have not played much age-level rugby outside of the World Cup. This new initiative will be a welcome opportunity of the Baby Boks.

In the 2023 U-20 Rugby World Cup, the South Africans were very inconsistent. Some good performances late on in the group ensured they made the semi-final of the Cup competition though.

They lost that semi 31-12 to a far superior Ireland side. The Baby Boks then went on to beat England 22-15 in the third-place playoff.

South Africa will be captained by prop, Zachary Porthen while Asad Moos gets the nod at scrumhalf. There will be plenty of eyes on flyhalf, Tyler Sefoor as well as the centre pairing of Bruce Sherwood and Jurenzo Julius.