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South Africa clinched their ninth World Rugby Under-20 Championship bronze medal on Friday night before France stormed to a third consecutive title.
The defeat to Italy is not as big a shock when viewed in the context of the amount of international preparation both teams have had.
South Africa Under-20 slumped to a 34-26 loss against Italy on a wet and muddy field in Paarl, putting their championship aspirations in jeopardy.
The Junior Springboks thumped France in Verona on Tuesday evening to finish top in Pool A at the U20 Six Nations Summer Series.
The Junior Springboks won all three pool matches at the Six Nations Summers Series, with victories over England, Ireland and France.