The defending champions South Africa trailed 20-12 at half-time after a frustrating opening 40 minutes littered with handling mistakes and missed opportunities. However, the Junior Boks emerged after the break with renewed purpose, running in six second-half tries to book a place in Saturday's final against France.

Winger Khuthadzo Rasivhaga was the standout performer with a superb hat-trick, while flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed delivered an outstanding all-round performance. Ahmed amassed 23 points through a try, six conversions and two penalties, while also playing a key role in creating several scoring opportunities.

Khuthadzo Rasivhaga was the hat-trick hero for South Africa - Giorgi Arjevanidze / World Rugby

Despite the impressive victory, the Junior Boks will be concerned about the availability of outside back Luan Giliomee. His yellow card for a dangerous aerial challenge was upgraded to a 20-minute red card following a bunker review, leaving his participation in the final in doubt.

England made the brighter start, with Ollie Streeter crossing in the fourth minute before Hugh Shields added the conversion. South Africa responded through Ahmed, who finished off sustained pressure from an attacking lineout after Ethan Adams made valuable ground, with the conversion levelling matters at 7-7.

The English regained control as Shields added a penalty before scoring and converting his own try to stretch the advantage to 17-7 after half an hour.

England's momentum was halted shortly afterwards when flanker Seb Kelly received a straight red card for headbutting Giliomee. The Junior Boks immediately capitalised as Ahmed's perfectly weighted cross-kick found Rasivhaga in the corner. Although the conversion drifted wide, South Africa had narrowed the deficit before Shields slotted another penalty to give England a 20-12 lead at the interval.

Whatever was said in the Junior Bok dressing room had the desired effect.

South Africa exploded into life after the restart, scoring four unanswered tries inside the opening 13 minutes of the second half. Rasivhaga grabbed his second before Kebotile Maake crossed twice in quick succession, with Ahmed converting all three to swing the momentum firmly in South Africa's favour.

Luan Giliomee may miss the final duo a suspension - Giorgi Arjevanidze / World Rugby

Rasivhaga then completed his hat-trick with a brilliant finish out wide, and Ahmed's conversion opened up a commanding 40-20 lead.

England refused to surrender, with Jonny Weimann and Tate Williams both getting over the whitewash, while Shields added his second try in the closing stages. However, Luke Cannon also crossed for the Junior Boks and Ahmed kept the scoreboard ticking with two penalty goals to ensure South Africa remained comfortably in front.

Although the closing stages became untidy, the Junior Springboks had done enough to secure a memorable victory and keep their title defence alive.

Cheswill Jooste - Giorgi Arjevanidze / World Rugby

They will now face France in Saturday evening's final at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi after the French edged New Zealand 26-22 in the first semi-final.

Saturday’s final will kick-off at 18:30.

Scorers

Junior Springboks: Tries - Yaqeen Ahmed, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga 3, Kebotile Maake 2, Luke Cannon Conv. - Ahmed 6 Pen. - Ahmed 2

England: Tries - Ollie Streeter, Hugh Shields 2, Jonny Weimann, Tate Williams Conv. - Shields 3 Pen. -  Shields 2

Morgan Piek OFM Sport