Latest news with #JuniorBoks'
The Citizen
a day 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.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Ill-discipline costly for U20 Kiwis in final
A first-half red card proved the undoing of the New Zealand Under 20 team, beaten 23-15 by South Africa in the World Championship final in Italy. Prop Sika Pole had his marching orders after 23 minutes for a clumsy high shot on Junior Boks loose forward JJ Theron, initially given a yellow card that was swiftly upgraded to red in Rovigo on Saturday (local time). Even though it was a 20-minute red card under tournament rules, and the South Africans found themselves down to 14 just before halftime with a yellow card, it proved to be a real turning point in the game. In New Zealand's first final in seven years, Pole leaving the field meant that he had to be replaced by another front rower, so influential loose forward Mosese Bason had to head off too for the 20-minute period. The South Africans struck early through a lineout drive try after only four minutes, converted from the sideline by classy first five-eighth Vusi Moyo. The difference in doctrine between the two sides was evident, as the New Zealanders seemed intent to run the ball while the South Africans favoured a heavy kicking game. Jayden Sa struck back for the Kiwis with a slick try off a sneaky lineout move after 16 minutes, before Moyo kicked a couple of penalties to make the score 13-5 at halftime. A very long period of attack by New Zealand after the break saw them batter the Junior Boks' line, but they couldn't crack it and had to settle for a Rico Simpson penalty. Moyo cancelled that out with a long range penalty off a scrum penalty after 56 minutes. The Junior Boks' scrum proved to be the decisive factor in the second half, as the big South Africans dominated the New Zealanders. Halfback Haashim Pead looked to have scored off the back of a big shove but it was disallowed, however by then it was obvious New Zealand would need something special after being pinned in their own half. They had one chance after an excellent turnover by Eli Oudenryn with 12 minutes to go, but the replacement hooker went from hero to zero at the subsequent attacking lineout with a crooked throw and then getting penalised for backchatting to the referee. Another yellow card, to lock Xavier Treacy, and a late try to Junior Bok fullback Gilermo Mentoe sealed their fate as time ran out. The Kiwis managed to grab a consolation try in a frantic last couple of minutes - but it was too little, too late, The Junior Boks secured their first World Championship win since 2012, snapping a Northern Hemisphere grip on the title dating back to 2018.
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Junior Boks aim to gain from U20 Rugby Championship pain
Head coach Kevin Foote and skipper Riley Norton say the Junior Springboks can take key lessons from a tough home tournament for the U20 World Championship next month. The South Africans fell short in their bid to capture The U20 Rugby Championship in the republic when they lost 48-45 to New Zealand at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha yesterday. The hosts beat Argentina in fine style their opener, before going down to Australia and New Zealand. But Foote said the players can take huge positives from their courageous effort against the young Kiwis. 'There are a lot of positives to take from that performance; we are on a massive journey together and I've only met Riley Norton and the guys back in November, so we are definitely working hard on our game model and principles which everyone understands now,' he told reporters post-match. 'From a character and leadership perspective, we are in a good place, and the lessons we learnt will be of huge benefit as we approach the U20 Championship next month in Italy. 'I think Melusi (Mthethwa, the team's backline coach) has done a great job in terms of our attack and I really feel that the players have clarity on how we want to play,' Foote added. 'We played some exciting and brilliant attacking rugby during the tournament and just to hear the crowd get behind us when we started to light it up was exceptional. 'We know we are not the finished product, and we know we have a lot of work to do, but I do think our attack has come a long way and the guys are loving the way we are attacking.' Foote said the SA U20 coaching staff are keen to send some players back to their provincial unions to play in the SA Rugby U21 Cup competition: 'We will take it case by case, but some players will go back to their provinces to play in the U21 competition. 'It's a strong competition and the players are well-coached there, and we are keen for them to keep going. There will be some whose load we will have to manage, but we will do our medicals and take it case by case.' Norton, who started all three of the Junior Boks' games of the competition, praised the players' efforts, on and off the field. 'To have played these high-pressure games against such quality opposition before the World Champs is going to be vital for us,' he said. 'The lessons we learnt, the connections and relationships we have managed to build, not only on the field but off-field as well, and the trust we managed to create, are extremely important to us.' The post Junior Boks aim to gain from U20 Champs pain appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The South African
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Siya Kolisi shares inspirational words with Junior Springboks
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi shared some inspiring words with the future stars of South African rugby when he visited the Junior Springboks at their training session on the B-field of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. The Junior Boks returned to the training field on Saturday following their victory over Argentina in the opening round of the Under-20 Rugby Championship held in Gqeberha. Siya Kolisi, who hails from the Eastern Cape, is visiting his hometown and made a surprise appearance at the Junior Boks' field session. 'It's amazing to see the boys and good to be in Gqeberha, where people are so hungry for rugby and to see our boys play,' said Kolisi. 'I can see they and the coaches are working hard, they have a great culture and I can see the future of our rugby is in good hands.' Kolisi was quite amazed at the size of some of the players: 'The size of these boys, it's ridiculous compared to me,' he quipped. When asked what he said to them, Kolisi replied: 'I just wished them luck and told them that, at this young age, it's a huge privilege. They represent all of us in South Africa right now; this is their opportunity, and they must use it well. They are representing not just some people, but the whole of the country. 'They must enjoy the moment because the opportunity can be taken away just like that. I also told them to dream bigger than what is happening on the field – this is not the end for them, they want to kick on to the highest level.' After nearly 9 000 people attended the Junior Boks' opening game on Thursday, Kolisi also had a special message for the rugby supporters in the Eastern Cape city, where the Boks will face Italy in July. 'I know I don't have to urge the rugby supporters in Gqeberha to come and support the tournament and our boys,' said the Springbok captain. 'I know they are going to attend because this province is hungry for rugby and big events. That's why every time we come here it's always full and the people come to welcome us at the airport. 'I want to say thanks in advance to the people in Gqeberha for coming out to support the boys and filling out the stadium – you can see this province can host big events and hopefully more will come after this.' Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton said he and his team-mates were extremely excited to see the two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain take time out of his busy schedule to come and attend their morning training session. 'Seeing Siya watch the training session and then his engagement with the squad and staff afterwards was a very special moment,' said Norton. 'He is our hero and we are grateful for the inspiring words he shared with us and we thoroughly enjoyed the special occasion.' Tickets for all matches cost R20 and can be bought online at Webtickets or at the ticket office of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The second round of action takes place on Tuesday, 6 May, when New Zealand take on Argentina (14:00) and South Africa face Australia (16:10). 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.
