Latest news with #DemitreErasmus
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Junior Boks, champions of the world
Saturday marked the Junior Boks' first appearance in the final since 2014 and it is a repeat of the 2012 final in which South Africa beat six-time champions New Zealand at Newlands. Demitre Erasmus of South Africa in action during the Final of the U20 World Championship between New Zealand and South Africa at Stadio Mario Battaglini on July 19, 2025 in Rovigo, Italy. Picture:. The Junior Springboks have won the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Rovigo, Italy after a tense, bruising battle with arch-rivals New Zealand. Tries from flanker Xola Nyali and fullback Gilermo Mentoe, along with 13 points from the boot of flyhalf Vusi Moyo, secured the Junior Boks a 23-15 win and a first Under 20 Championship triumph since 2012. The Junior Boks opened the scoring in just the third minute through Nyali. The Baby Blacks hit back with a try of their own 12 minutes later, courtesy of lock Jayden Sa. The clash had a real final feel, with the South Africans not wasting an opportunity to take the points on offer. Moyo popped over two penalties to ensure South Africa went into the sheds with a 13-5 lead. Both teams had a player sent off in the first half. New Zealand lost loosehead prop Sika Pole to a 20-minute red card for a shoulder charge on JJ Theron, while the Junior Boks had to go without centre Albie Bester for ten minutes after a no-arms clear out at the ruck. Tight contest The second half was equally tight, with flyhalves Rico Simpson and Moyo exchanging penalties. A crucial moment in the match came in the 62nd minute, when tournament top try-scorer Haashim Pead was denied a seventh of the championship after the TMO ruled an infringement at the scrum enabled Pead to score. Mentoe's late try was followed almost immediately by the Junior All Blacks' first and only try by wing Maloni Kunawave. But it proved too little, too late as South Africa held on to take the honours in Italy. Saturday marked the Junior Boks' first appearance in the final since 2014 and it is a repeat of the 2012 final in which South Africa beat six-time champions New Zealand at Newlands. The Junior Boks were in rampant form throughout the championship in Italy, posting comprehensive wins over Australia, defending champions England and Scotland in the pool stage, followed by victory over Argentina in the semi-finals. This story was first published on It is republished here with permission.
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Junior Boks go for a 6–2 bench for U20 Championship semi-final
Coach Kevin Foote has selected largely the same side that won the first two pool games of the tournament to face Argentina. After making a few rotational changes for their last Pool A match against Scotland, which the SA U20s won by 73-14 in Calvisano, Foote has selected mainly the same combination that defeated Australia and England in their first two group games. For Monday's important knockout match with Los Pumitas in Viadana (kick-off 8.30pm), Demitre Erasmus is back at outside centre after missing the England clash due to illness and coming off the bench against Scotland. Jaco Williams is retained at left wing for his second start in a row since replacing Siya Ndlozi, who returned home with a hamstring injury sustained against England. The Junior Bok pack remains the same as the combination that faced Australia and England, with lock Riley Norton leading a starting team that have impressed with their physicality and ability to create plenty of scoring opportunities with their speedy outside backs. Junior Boks have a 6–2 bench However, Foote has opted for six forwards and two backs on the bench for the semi-final in a bid to use their explosive forwards and attack the Argentina pack, with No 8 Stephanus Linde now the extra forward among the replacements. Foote said it was a tough task to select the team to face Argentina: 'It was so difficult to leave out anybody because the players did so well against Scotland. My message to those who weren't selected for the match-23 is to help us prepare the starting team as best as we can.' According to Foote, Argentina's forward prowess will be a huge test for the SA U20s, which is one of the reasons why he has decided to go with a six-two split on the bench. 'The Argentinians are very confrontational and physical, and they play with lots of passion,' he said. 'We know we are in for a fight which is why we went for six forwards on the bench, because we have so much respect for them.' The SA U20s are one of three southern hemisphere teams in the world championship semi-finals, alongside Argentina and New Zealand, who face France in their playoff at 6pm. Starting XV: Gilermo Mentoe, Cheswill Jooste, Demitre Erasmus, Albie Bester, Jaco Williams, Vusi Moyo, Haashim Pead, Wandile Mlaba, Bathobele Hlekani, Xola Nyali, JJ Theron, Riley Norton (captain), Herman Lubbe, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Simphiwe Ngobese. Bench: Jaundré Schoeman, Oliver Reid, Jean Erasmus, Jaco Grobbelaar, Matt Romao, Ceano Everson, Dominic Malgas, Stephanus Linde.
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
U20 Rugby Championship: Junior Springboks down Argentina in Gqeberha
The Junior Springboks bounced back from 25–15 down to dominate most of the second half and win 36–25. Oliver Reid of South Africa during the Rugby Championship U20 match between Junior Springboks and Argentina. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images A second-half fightback allowed the Junior Springboks to beat Argentina 36–25 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, taking the lead after the first day of the Rugby Championship U20. The Junior Springboks made plenty of mistakes in the first half and showed little defensive structure to find themselves 25–15 down shortly after the break. They never improved in their lineouts – losing plenty of their put-ins to Argentina – but they gained momentum to control possession and territory, breaking the Argentina line repeatedly to score three of their five tries in the final 35 minutes. Credit must go to Argentina, who showed real flair and capitalised on any mistake offered by the home side in the first half. They scored three tries and slotted four kicks away from home. However, they were merely spectators once the Junior Springboks found their feet. Junior Springboks bounce back Before the end of the first quarter, converted tries and penalty kicks from either side cancelled each other out, so that the score was 10–10. After that, SA centre Demitre Erasmus put the home side ahead through an overlap try. However, Argentina's Bautista Lescano made up for his disallowed try (knock-on) just minutes later with a great line break and converted try, so that Argentina led 20–15 at half-time. The visitors extended their lead right after the break with captain Felipa Ledesma crashing over on the sideline. However, the Junior Springboks scored three unanswered tries in the next 20 minutes. Haashim Pead scored his second try after an excellent line break and offload from winger Cheswill Jooste, while SA captain Riley Norton and Gino Cupido also scored to take the score to 36–25 with 16 minutes left. Argentina regained momentum right before the end, winning two penalties 10m from the South African try line. However, every attack was blunted by the solid South African defence. The result came after Australia managed a 29-all draw against New Zealand earlier in the day, thanks to an 83rd-minute (extra time) try, in the opening game of the tournament. Scorers South Africa: Tries – Haashim Pead (2), Demitre Erasmus, Riley Norton, Gino Cupido. Conversions – Kyle Smith 3/4. Penalties – Smith 1/1. Argentina: Tries – Pascal Senillosa, Bautista Lescano, Felipa Ledesma. Conversions – Rafael Benedit 2/3. Penalties – Benedit 2/2.
