Junior Springboks now genuine U20 Championship contenders
Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton is satisfied with his teams performances but is keeping his eye on the prize in the World Rugby U20 Champs. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
The Junior Springboks proved that they aren't just a flash in the pan and should be considered genuine contenders for the World Rugby U20 Championship title, after their impressive 32-22 win over defending champions, England, in Italy over the weekend.
Earlier this year the Junior Boks produced an underwhelming U20 Rugby Championship (TRC) campaign on home soil, going down against New Zealand and Australia, while beating Argentina, to finish third in the Southern Hemisphere competition.
But in their first pool match of the U20 champs they erased that pain with a monstrous 73-17 win over Australia U20s, unbelievably turning around a loss from just a few months prior, into a massive victory.
If anyone was wondering whether that was just an aberration, they should have had those worries washed away by a superb follow up performance against one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Heading into the competition, France and England were clear favourites, due to the English being defending champs, while the French pipped them to the 2025 U20 Six Nations title.
It would have been hard to pick who was more favoured as, despite France having won the previous three U20 World Championship titles before last year, England had won their last two games against the French, 21-13 in last year's final and 27-10 in this year's Six Nations, before slipping up against Wales.
Hat in ring
But the Junior Boks have firmly thrown their hat right in the ring now, and should have no trouble securing their place in the competition semifinals, with them just needing a win over Scotland in their final pool match on Wednesday.
The Scots have struggled in the world champs so far, going down 56-19 to England and 34-24 to Australia, but despite this Bok coach Kevin Foote believes they can't be underestimated.
'We'll take a lot of confidence from this victory (against England), but Scotland are a good side. They ran England close in the Six Nations, and we certainly will not underestimate any team ever. We'll keep our feet on the ground and focus on the next job,' said Foote.
Junior Bok captain Riley Norton, who also tempered expectations after their monster win over Australia, was again measured in his praise after the England win, explaining that the job was far from over for his team.
'We're out here giving everything for our country and we're all very proud of the win, but we're still building, and we'll take massive confidence from this game,' said Norton.
'To be honest, it's not quite sunk in yet (their performances). We will celebrate, but then we go again. Next up is Scotland and we have the bigger picture in mind, so we're very excited for the next three games.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
Confirmed: Orlando Pirates kicking off the new season in Orlando
Orlando Pirates will begin their 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign with a packed August schedule that includes three home fixtures and two trips away. With the new season's expectations high as ever, the Buccaneers will be eager to hit the ground running and stake an early claim in the title race. Three of their first five opponents finished mid-table or lower last season, while one – Orbit College FC – is a newly promoted side. On paper, this gives Orlando Pirates an excellent platform to secure early points and build momentum before the league intensifies. Confirmed: Kaizer Chiefs' first five Betway Premiership fixtures Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou trains his team in Marbella, Spain ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season. Image: Goal 9 August: Sekhukhune United (Home) A familiar opening challenge at Orlando Stadium. Sekhukhune finished as high as fourth place last season. Nevetheless, Orlando Pirates have to deliver a statement win in front of the Ghost. PSL club ready to sell goalkeeper to Kaizer Chiefs 12 August: Marumo Gallants (Away) Just three days later, the Buccaneers head to Bloemfontein to face an inspired Marumo side with the new French coach Lafitte Alexandre. Squad depth will be crucial here, with minimal rest between games. 20 August: Stellenbosch FC (Home) One of the best teams in the league last season. Stellenbosch FC, who finished third, will deliver with typical structure and quick football. Orlando Pirates will need control and discipline to earn all three points. 26 August: Orbit College FC (Home) A first-ever league meeting between the two sides. Orbit, newly promoted and armed with six players on loan from Orlando Pirates, will be full of enthusiasm but will face a stern test in Soweto. 31 August: Chippa United (Away) The Buccaneers close August with a visit to Gqeberha. Chippa can frustrate teams at home, so Orlando Pirates must stay sharp to avoid a slip-up against a team filled with plenty of Buccaneers on loan. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘Incredibly special journey,' says coach Foote after U20 Championship triumph
The Junior Boks beat New Zealand in the final in Italy on Saturday night. The South African U20 rugby team hold the winner's trophy aloft after beating New Zealand in the World Rugby U20 Championship final in Rovigo on Saturday. Picture:Riley Norton and his all-conquering Junior Springboks will arrive back in South Africa mid-morning Monday as their country's newest heroes. The Junior Boks won their first world title in 13 years when they defeated their New Zealand counterparts at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Rovigo, Italy on Saturday evening. The win came just hours after the Springboks, currently two-time world champions, ended their midyear Test campaign with a comfortable victory against Georgia in Mbombela. They're next in action against Australia in the Rugby Championship. The Junior Boks, who beat Australia, England and Scotland in pool play in Italy and Argentina in the semi-finals, edged their biggest rivals 23-15 in the final. 'Gees won it for us' Coach Kevin Foote said his players' grit and spirt helped them get across the line. 'Defence is all about character, and there were moments when New Zealand were right on our line, but we held firm,' said Foote after the final. 'From a coach's perspective, you can't ask for more than that. It was a real South African defensive effort and gees (spirit) that won it for us.' Foote, who took over as Junior Boks head coach at the end of last year, also described his winning squad as a special group of young players. 'I love our country and the Springboks, and I love working with this age group,' he said. 'Win for everyone back home' 'To see these young men grow from training in December to what they've achieved now is amazing. Being on this journey with them has been incredibly special, and I'll never take it for granted.' Captain Norton, who led from the front, said: 'The ball was so slippery, and your fundamentals had to be spot on in these conditions, which was tough. There were a few handling errors due to the incredible humidity, and our jerseys were absolutely drenched in sweat, but I think we handled the conditions well. This win is for everyone who supported us back home.' The Junior Boks captain also credited their intense training in Stellenbosch for helping them adapt to the Italian summer heat. 'We actually adapted very well to the local conditions, even though it was winter when we left Stellenbosch,' said Norton. 'That's thanks to our conditioning and the fact that we're used to training in similar summer weather back home.'
eNCA
8 hours ago
- eNCA
Erasmus calls time on mass Springbok experiments
MBOMBELA - South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus says mass Springbok experiments will end when he names a 36-man squad on Tuesday for two Rugby Championship Tests against Australia during August. "The bulk of that squad will be experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play while there will be room for one or two guys we want to experiment with," he told reporters. "We wanted to experiment against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia in build-up matches, and the scorelines we achieved were pretty satisfying. "We used 46 players and gave first caps to a number of players. There are others we want to give opportunities to like Jaden and Jordan (Hendrikse), Quan (Horn) and Renzo (du Plessis). "But the Rugby Championship is definitely a step up, starting with the Wallabies in Johannesburg and Cape Town on successive Saturdays next month." South Africa are defending the Rugby Championship title and after Australia, play in New Zealand twice, then Argentina home and away, with the latter match switched from South America to London. In November, the record four-time Rugby World Cup winners face a daunting tour of Europe, including France in Paris and Ireland in Dublin. Erasmus, a key figure in different coaching roles in the 2019 and 2023 World Cup triumphs, also reflected on the build-up matches for the southern hemisphere championship. "We are fairly happy if you look over the four games," he said, recalling victories over the Barbarians (54-7), Italy (42-24 and 45-0) and, this weekend, Georgia (55-10). Each Test was preceded by many personnel changes to the matchday 23 -- 10 and 15 for the internationals against Italy and 16 for Georgia. "Georgia were physical and disruptive, but that is not an excuse for making so many errors. If we chop and change while building squad depth, you will have lost rhythm. "We found rhythm in the final 20 minutes and, while the scoreline was impressive, we can always do better." The coach said fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who missed four of five conversion attempts, injured his hip warming up for the match. "Sacha wanted to play, but that is no excuse for the way he kicked at the poles. However, he is certainly not one of the guys who made the most errors."
