Junior Springboks won't change approach in crucial pool match against England
Image: Sabrina Conforti / World Rugby
The Junior Springboks have one more tough hurdle to navigate as they aim to take a giant leap towards qualifying for the World Rugby U20 Championship playoffs in Italy.
They face England on Friday evening (6 pm start) in the second pool match, and a win will all but guarantee them a spot in the knock-out round of the Championship. After dispatching Australia easily in the opening round, the defending champions will be a tougher opponent, and the stakes are higher for the South Africans.
Vice-captain Haashim Pead, who was one of the stars against the Aussies, said they won't deviate from their plan against the English. He expects the side to still bring that physicality while keeping their shape on the attack.
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'We have done our homework on England, and we expect them to play an exciting brand of rugby,' Pead said ahead of the game.
'They have a good kicking game too. Our preparation has gone well, and we will stick to our DNA, which is our physicality with the forwards. The foundation they laid for us was simply amazing. The go-forward balls in the scrums, lineouts and mauling gave the backs a perfect platform to execute our set plays and score from first-phase possession.
'It is a massive challenge and opportunity for us as a team against England, and we are excited to be involved in such a game.'
What a stunner from the Junior Boks 🤩🇿🇦
Siya Ndlozi turns on the gas 💨
📺 Stream #WorldRugbyU20s on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/6geRTdfcZb — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 29, 2025
Junior Springbok outside centre Gino Cupido is hoping the lessons he learned from the Blitzboks will stand him in good stead. The lanky speedster was drafted into the starting lineup against the English and will be one of a handful of guys with international senior experience taking the field.
'At the Sevens, we are taught not to be afraid to play our game. I was lucky to have an experienced coach like Philip Snyman who backed me. He and the guys in the Blitzboks setup motivated me not to be afraid to express myself.
'It gives me that confidence to know that guys are backing me no matter the performance I put out.'
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Junior Springbok scrumhalf Haashim Pead feeds one of the scrums against Australia. He will be one of the important players for the side against England on Friday. Image: Sabrina Conforti / World Rugby The Junior Springboks have one more tough hurdle to navigate as they aim to take a giant leap towards qualifying for the World Rugby U20 Championship playoffs in Italy. They face England on Friday evening (6 pm start) in the second pool match, and a win will all but guarantee them a spot in the knock-out round of the Championship. After dispatching Australia easily in the opening round, the defending champions will be a tougher opponent, and the stakes are higher for the South Africans. Vice-captain Haashim Pead, who was one of the stars against the Aussies, said they won't deviate from their plan against the English. He expects the side to still bring that physicality while keeping their shape on the attack. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'We have done our homework on England, and we expect them to play an exciting brand of rugby,' Pead said ahead of the game. 'They have a good kicking game too. Our preparation has gone well, and we will stick to our DNA, which is our physicality with the forwards. The foundation they laid for us was simply amazing. The go-forward balls in the scrums, lineouts and mauling gave the backs a perfect platform to execute our set plays and score from first-phase possession. 'It is a massive challenge and opportunity for us as a team against England, and we are excited to be involved in such a game.' What a stunner from the Junior Boks 🤩🇿🇦 Siya Ndlozi turns on the gas 💨 📺 Stream #WorldRugbyU20s on DStv: — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 29, 2025 Junior Springbok outside centre Gino Cupido is hoping the lessons he learned from the Blitzboks will stand him in good stead. The lanky speedster was drafted into the starting lineup against the English and will be one of a handful of guys with international senior experience taking the field. 'At the Sevens, we are taught not to be afraid to play our game. I was lucky to have an experienced coach like Philip Snyman who backed me. He and the guys in the Blitzboks setup motivated me not to be afraid to express myself. 'It gives me that confidence to know that guys are backing me no matter the performance I put out.'