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Ireland beat South Africa 31-12 to reach the World Rugby Under-20 Championship final, but England missed out after a 52-31 loss to France.<\/span><\/p>\n Tries from James Nicholson (2), Brian Gleeson and Sam Berman put the Irish, yet to win the competition, into the final for the first time since 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Imad Khan and Coetzee le Roux scored South Africa’s two tries in Cape Town.<\/span><\/p>\n Ireland will face two-time champions France, who came from 17-0 behind inside 17 minutes to fend off England.<\/span><\/p>\n Les Bleuets hit back with seven tries to deny three-time winners England, who have twice been runners-up since beating Ireland on home soil in the 2016 final.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite being put under severe pressure by the Junior Springboks for much of the first half in the opening semi-final, Ireland nudged 7-0 ahead at the break when winger Nicholson touched down after receiving a pinpoint crossfield pass from Sam Prendergast.<\/span><\/p>\n That try for Ireland came after Jannes Potgieter was yellow-carded for a heavy tackle on Andrew Osborne.<\/span><\/p>\n South Africa started well in the second half and restored parity in the 45th minute when Khan crossed following fine work from Regan Izaks.<\/span><\/p>\n Ireland hit back quickly through Gleeson, however, before Nicholson’s second try put clear daylight between the sides with 20 minutes remaining.<\/span><\/p>\n Berman’s try and a Prendergast penalty stretched Ireland’s lead to 31-7, while Le Roux scored a late consolation for South Africa, who bowed out in the semi-finals for the sixth time running.<\/span><\/p>\n It has been an emotionally charged tournament for Ireland following the death of St Michael’s College students Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall – known to several members of the squad – while on holiday in Greece.<\/span><\/p>\n