Brilliant Blitzboks crowned kings of Los Angeles
The Blitzboks were determined on defence and clinical on attack against a plucky Spain to win their second title of the 2025 season, after raising the trophy in Cape Town in December 2024.
They managed to keep Spain away from their try-line with solid defence and when in possession, struck when it mattered, and even managed to score when down to six men after a late yellow card to Zander Reynders.
The performance in the final wrapped up an excellent effort at the tournament, where the Blitzboks had no peers and hard as Spain tried, they had no answers to unlock the determination of their opponents to not let them get past them.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
4 days ago
- The Herald
Junior Boks break 13-year title drought in Italy
The Junior Springboks became the third South African team to claim world champion status by outplaying New Zealand 23-15 in the World Rugby U20 Championship Final in Rovigo on Saturday night. The SA U20s join the reigning Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks, and the Blitzboks at the top of the World Rugby competition podium. The Junior Springboks' tournament victory — their first since 2012 — came on a hot and humid night in Italy where they once again proved the masters of their southern hemisphere foes, beating the Kiwis for a seventh consecutive time in this tournament and the second time in a final, the same as in 2012, when the SA U20s outplayed NZ by 22-16. The class of 2025 won the final on the back of good defence, good discipline and scoring the crucial points when it mattered. They were leading 13-5 at the break and never took their foot off the pedal against a New Zealand team that fought until the end, but to no avail. The Junior Boks started in the best way possible with an early maul try by flanker Xola Nyali, converted by the trusted boot of Vusi Moyo and the 7-0 lead was good early value for money. New Zealand focused on a stack attack early on, something that worked well for them in their previous encounter against SA. But this time around, the Junior Boks' defence held out. A good cover tackle kept New Zealand from scoring from such an attack, but they could not keep out the team in black from a resulting line-out when lock Jayden Sa scored. New Zealand outfoxed their foes in the line-out and SA came around the front to score and cut the lead to two points. Vusi Moyo extended the lead to 10-5 soon after with a penalty goal and then New Zealand's prop Sika Pole was sent to the sin bin, with his high tackle upgraded to a 20-minute red card. The Junior Boks pressed hard to make the numerical advantage count, but Moyo missed a drop goal as SA looked to confirm their upper hand in general play. An injury to Nyali resulted in him being replaced by Stephanus Linde, but the pressure remained on New Zealand, who were guilty of forcing play to combat their absent defender. SA U20 centre Albe Bester was yellow carded for a dangerous ruck entry, but Moyo kicked another penalty when the Junior Blacks strayed offside to push the lead to 13-5 at the break. New Zealand started strongly in the second half, taking the ball through numerous phases and earning a penalty for their efforts. Flyhalf Rico Simpson kicked the points to cut SA's lead to 13-8 after 47 minutes. Moyo cancelled that out with another penalty goal that pushed the lead to 16-8. The Junior Boks were starting to dominate and a try by Haashim Pead seemed to seal the deal, but it was disallowed by the TMO. Moyo then missed a penalty attempt as well, but the South Africans were in control as the championship minutes came into play. They were held up over the try line and were dominating play, but with no scoreboard reflection. That changed three minutes from full-time, though, when Pead chipped to the corner, into the waiting arms of fullback Gilermo Mentoe. At 23-8, it was game over and though New Zealand scored a minute later, the win was secured and the bogey finally buried. Scorers: Junior Springboks 23 (13) - Tries: Xola Nyali , Gilermo Mentoe. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (2). Penalty goals: Moyo (3). New Zealand 15 (5) - Tries: Jayden Sa , Maloni Kunawave. Conversion: Will Cole. Penalty goal: Rico Simpson. — World Rugby
eNCA
7 days ago
- eNCA
Sweden flying under Euros radar ahead of England clash, says Asllani
Kosovare Asllani said Wednesday that Sweden should be getting more attention for their performances at the Women's Euro 2025 as the Scandinavians prepare for a blockbuster quarter-final against England. Spain, France and England have dominated headlines in Switzerland but Sweden swept into the last eight with three powerful displays, including a thumping of Germany, on their way to winning Group C with a perfect nine points. "I feel like Sweden are always flying under the radar, I would say," attacking midfielder Asllani told reporters. "And it is something that kind of suits us because obviously we think that we are one of the best teams in the world due to the results we have been doing the last few years from the tournaments. But people rarely speak about us as someone that can win the gold. "We know we can beat any team in the world when we have our best day. We don't think about it too much but I think people should talk about us more." Unbeaten in a year, Sweden take on England, who finished second in Group D, in Zurich on Thursday with memories still fresh of a 4-0 defeat to the Lionesses at the last Euros three years ago. But Asllani said that she and her teammates are focussing on two recent draws with the reigning European champions as they hunt a first major honour since winning the first official Euros way back in 1984. "We have incredible belief in one another and the entire team. We do play very intense and physical football and since (coach) Peter (Gerhardsson) took over that has developed," added Asllani. "We have developed enormously over last few years. We have players at major clubs, and then you came here and you mesh it all together. We are a very hungry team and want success." She said she believed the tournament begins in earnest with the quarter-finals. "It feels like a tournament really gets going when the group stage is over," said Asllani. "We have experience of these kinds of matches, and the fun sort of starts now... when you test your mettle against the best teams." Lucy Bronze, who plays her club football at Chelsea with Sweden's Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Nathalie Bjorn, said that England were also relishing the chance to play in the knockout stage. "I think it's the kind of game that both teams want. Any top player in the world wants to be playing in the big games," said Bronze. "For me it's probably the most exciting quarter-final because the teams are so full of confidence and quality. "These are exciting times. All the girls today in training are really up for the game tomorrow. Really excited for what tomorrow is going to bring."
IOL News
10-07-2025
- IOL News
If Pirates tackled the strife head-on, Monnapule Saleng would have been in Orbit long ago
NEW TWIST Finally, the Monnapule Saleng saga is over. Orlando Pirates star is loaned out to Orbit College FC. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix Thank goodness Monnapule Saleng will finally return to action after Orlando Pirates cold-shouldered him for months. The Saleng saga resonates with the tumultuous world of professional football, where a contract dispute can lead to a dramatic fall from grace. Once celebrated by fans for his electrifying performances, Saleng's standing at Pirates has spiralled downward since late 2024, when he played against Al Ahly. Since then, a combination of being sidelined and the club's apparent indifference has left him stuck in limbo, deprived of competitive play and clarity regarding his future. The situation reached a tipping point earlier this year when Saleng's frustrations boiled over, leading to a public rift with the club's management. His exclusion from pre-season preparations, particularly the Spain-bound camp, signalled that his time with the Sea Robbers was nearing its end. Rumblings around a wage dispute hinted at more than just simple contractual misunderstanding; it painted a picture of a larger struggle for respect and recognition that many players endure behind the scenes. The discord could have been mitigated had the management chosen to engage in dialogue from the outset. Instead, the Pirates' reluctance to address the issue has resulted in a significant fallout, and one would have expected a higher standard of accountability from the club. Analysts were taken aback by the club's apparent hesitance to confront the conflict head-on. In the sporting world, where unity and teamwork are paramount, Pirates' eschewing of proactive measures is viewed as a missed opportunity to demonstrate leadership. Fans feel that, as one of the biggest teams in South Africa, Pirates should have been the larger entity, going above and beyond to resolve the issue instead of allowing it to fester. The club's apparent indifference has left him stuck in limbo, deprived of competitive play and clarity regarding his future. Pirates have agreed to loan Saleng to Premiership newcomers Orbit College FC for the 2025/26 season. This provides a glimmer of hope as the club is finally allowing the 27-year-old to return to local football, He launched his professional career at Orbit College and then had a stint with Free State Stars, before making the move to one of the country's most prestigious clubs Pirates. While Saleng's time at Pirates has been mired in frustration, this loan might provide a crucial opportunity for rejuvenation. It's an exit that bears the promise of revival, whereby he can rebuild his form and confidence before potentially rejoining Pirates' setup in the future. Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see if their former favourite can recapture the spark that made him a household name in South African football.
