Argentina’s youth rugby sevens side, Los Pumitas, reached the semifinal stage of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026 before falling 24-12 to South Africa. The team held a 12-5 halftime lead built on tries from Federico Anderson and Federico Kantz, with Kantz adding a conversion, but the South African side mounted a dominant second-half comeback to secure the victory.
Pool Play and Semifinal Defeat in Dakar
The Argentine squad advanced through the earlier rounds of the Youth Olympic tournament by defeating Uganda 49-0 in their opening match and later overcoming Japan 31-5. Following those wins, the side dropped a 24-7 decision against France. Despite the loss to South Africa in the semifinal, Los Pumitas remain in contention for a place on the podium.
Bronze Medal Match Details
Los Pumitas will return to the pitch on Monday at 13:38 to face the loser of the second semifinal between Canada and France. The fixture will decide the bronze medal for the Youth Olympic rugby sevens tournament.
Youth Olympic Rugby Sevens Overview
- Tournament: Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026
- Semifinal Result: South Africa 24, Argentina 12
- First-Half Scorers: Federico Anderson (try), Federico Kantz (try and conversion)
- Upcoming Match: Bronze medal match against Canada or France on Monday at 13:38
Frequently Asked Questions About the Youth Olympic Rugby Tournament
How did Argentina reach the semifinals in Dakar?
Los Pumitas qualified for the semifinals after opening pool play with a 49-0 victory over Uganda and a 31-5 win against Japan, despite a subsequent 24-7 loss to France.
Who scored Argentina’s points against South Africa?
Federico Anderson and Federico Kantz scored tries in the first half, while Kantz added a successful conversion to give Argentina a 12-5 halftime lead before South Africa rallied.
When and against whom is the bronze medal match?
The match for third place takes place on Monday at 13:38 against the loser of the semifinal between Canada and France.
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