Latest news with #KevinFoote
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Triumphant Junior Springboks receive warm welcome in SA
The Junior Springboks, under the leadership of head coach Kevin Foote, ended a 13-year wait to reclaim the global Under-20 crown with a 23-15 victory over the Junior All Blacks in the summer heat of Rovigo on Saturday. The Junior Springboks last won the title in 2012 with a home victory over the same opponents in Cape Town, but had had a long wait for a repeat success having not appeared in another final since 2014. This time the team showed great composure in cruising to the final with commanding victories over Australia (73-12), England (32-22) and Scotland (73-14) in the pool stages, and Argentina (48-24) in the semi-final. They led in the final from the third minute and tries by Xola Nyali and Gilermo Mentoe, as well as 13 points from the boot of Vusi Moyo, secured a famous victory. Moyo finished the tournament as the top points' scorer with 63, while Haashim Pead scored six tries, placing him second for the most five-pointers behind Georgia's Mikheili Shioshvili (7). On Monday, the team returned to South Africa, and received an understandably warm welcome by cheering fans and Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union. 'This is a very proud day for rugby in South Africa, and I would like to congratulate Kevin and the team on an outstanding performance in the tournament,' said Mr Alexander. 'The group have been welded into a formidable unit over the course of this year and many of them have the potential to go on to higher honours, I am sure. 'Their victory is a tribute to all the hard work done at high school level by educators and coaches, and at our provincial unions from whom these players are drawn. 'Appointing a head coach in Kevin, who has franchise experience, was also an important part of the progress this group have shown, and I would like to commend him, his backroom team, and the High Performance Department at SA Rugby for what they have achieved in such a short space of time. 'I'd also like to thank our sponsors who have come on board to partner the Junior Boks and with whom we are delighted to share in their success.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
3 days ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Junior Springboks return home after win against New Zealand
JOHANNESBURG - The Springboks under 20 side defeated the Baby Blacks 22-16, to be crowned World Champions. It is the Junior Boks' first title win since the 2012 edition, ending a 13-year drought. Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote says the U20 Rugby Championship earlier this year laid the foundation for the team's stunning improvement.
The Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
World champion Junior Boks displayed great tenacity — Foote
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote credited his team's renowned, trademark SA grit and fighting spirit for their victory over New Zealand in the World Rugby U20 Championship final in Italy on Saturday evening. SA U20 captain Riley Norton and the Junior Boks lifted the world crown on a humid evening in Rovigo, Italy, finishing the tournament unbeaten after a pulsating final against their fiercest rugby rivals. The hard-fought 23-15 win delivered SA's first U20 Championship title in 13 years, after their triumph over New Zealand in the 2012 final at a packed Newlands in Cape Town. Foote praised his team's defensive resolve and refusal to let the Kiwis back into the game, even when they were camped on the SA try line for long periods. 'Defence is all about character and there were moments when New Zealand were right on our line, but we held firm,' he said. 'From a coach's perspective, you can't ask for more than that. 'It was a real SA defensive effort and gees {spirit] that won it for us today.' Foote, who took over as Junior Bok head coach at the end of last year, also described his winning squad as a special group of young rugby players. 'I love our country and the Springboks, and I love working with this age group,' he said. 'To see these young men grow from training in December to what they have achieved now is amazing. 'Being on this journey with them has been incredibly special, and I'll never take it for granted.' Foote said he had always believed in his team, even when the New Zealanders were pushing hard to regain control. 'I looked at the players on the field and saw their body language — they were so present and in the moment. 'They had such a belief, and I'm incredibly proud of what they have achieved here in Italy.' 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,' he said. 'That's thanks to our conditioning and the fact that we are used to training in similar summer weather back home.' The Junior Springboks are expected to arrive back in SA on Monday morning. 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. — SA Rugby Communications
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Hero's welcome? Here's when world champion Junior Springboks return home
South Africa's victorious Junior Springboks will return home on Monday after their historic triumph in the World Rugby U20 Championship, where they defeated New Zealand 23-15 in the final to claim their first title since 2012. The team is scheduled to touch down at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 10:35 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 042 on Monday morning. And they are expected to be met with a hero's welcome. SA Rugby President Mark Alexander will join the players and coaches for a media conference at 11:15 in the airport's media room, celebrating the young team's undefeated campaign. Coach Kevin Foote and several Junior Springboks players, including captain Riley Norton, are also scheduled for a brief stand-up media session at Cape Town International Airport following their arrival in the Mother City at 15:45. The Junior Springboks' win in Rovigo, Italy, marks South Africa's third world title across rugby's major competitions, joining the senior Springboks and the Blitzboks as reigning global champions. Their gritty, physical style and strong team unity earned them seven straight wins in the tournament, including two victories over New Zealand. Speaking after his team's title triumph, Norton said the squad was still absorbing the scale of their achievement. 'It's overwhelming. We knew what we were capable of, but to bring the trophy back home means the world to us.' Coach Foote added: 'These boys showed South African heart. It's not just a win for the team, it's a win for the future of our rugby.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Junior Boks back their game to down Junior All Blacks in U20 final
The Junior Boks and Junior All Blacks are set to battle it out in what should be a cracking World Rugby U20 Champs final in Rovigo, Italy. The Junior Springboks are backing their expansive, attacking game to get the better of the Junior All Blacks in the World Rugby U20 Championship final at the Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo, Italy on Saturday night (kick-off 8:30pm). It has been their explosive attacking brand of rugby that has powered the Junior Boks through the competition unbeaten and into a first final since 2014, when they went down by a single point to England. Over their current campaign the Junior Boks have run in an incredible 32 tries in just four games, picking up massive wins over Scotland (73-14), and Australia (73-17), while they also downed defending champs England (32-22) in an entertaining match, and were too strong for Argentina (48-24) in their semifinal. Leading up to a huge final against fierce rivals the New Zealand U20s, some teams might tend to go into their shells and play a bit more conservatively in the trophy match, but coach Kevin Foote insisted that they would be sticking to their guns, as it is what had got them there. 'I think our strategy will speak (for itself) tomorrow (on Saturday). Like I've said before, the leadership around us is very good and they've got a (good) feel of the game and we'll play appropriately to that,' explained Foote. 'Making a final, you do feel extra pressure. But we don't feel like that's going to impact our team. We feel like we've played this brand of rugby and there's an accountability piece. 'So we'll keep being accountable because we've got clarity on exactly how we want to play and we'll make sure we support each other in the way we want to play. The way we've played has got us to the final. So that's how we want to continue playing.' Junior All Black threat Foote is however well aware of the threat of the Junior All Blacks, who beat one of the tournament favourites France U20s (34-26) in their semifinal, and said his side was prepared for whatever they will throw at them. It is also the second meeting between the two in the past few months after the Junior All Blacks edged the Junior Bok 48-45 in the U20 Rugby Championship in SA, although it does seem like both teams have made a step up since then, leading to impressive campaigns in Italy. 'We see a lot of similarities in them. They are a team that's very passionate, they're calm, and look like they're a well settled team. They look well organised, and I think it'll be a great game,' said Foote. 'I think New Zealand's strike players were outstanding against France. When they got the opportunity they capitalised on it, and I thought they showed some really gutsy defence. 'France were entering their 22m on numerous occasions and they managed to keep them out. So they showed a lot of character and I think as that game went on and France couldn't score, New Zealand gained more confidence. 'They're a team that we know won't go away. They're a team that's backs their attack and they're pretty calm. So we have a lot of respect for them.'
