Latest news with #U-20RugbyChampionship
TimesLIVE
16-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Junior Boks, Baby Blacks set to write another chapter in special rivalry
The rugby rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand will enter another chapter on Saturday when they clash in the 2025 World Rugby U-20 Championship final at Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo, Italy. The Junior Boks qualified for their first world U-20 final since 2014 when they beat Argentina 48-24 in Monday's semifinal in Viadana. The Baby Blacks defeated France 34-26 earlier in the day at the same venue. South Africa coach Kevin Foote spoke of the significance of the occasion on Saturday, highlighting the rivalry and rugby culture shared by both nations. 'Every child in South Africa and every child in New Zealand who has ever picked up a rugby ball dreams of this occasion,' Foote said after his team's hard-fought victory over Argentina. 'It's a special moment and they [New Zealand] are a special side. A final between these two teams is fantastic for rugby.' The transition from defence to attack 😮💨 South Africa have one foot in the door of the Grand Final 💪🇿🇦 📺 Stream #WorldRugbyU20s on DStv: — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 14, 2025 Junior Boks captain Riley Norton said the final will provide the 'ultimate test' for his side. 'You don't need any extra motivation for a final such as this,' he said. 'As coach Kevin said, you dream of a match like this — facing the haka on Saturday; the history and tradition of rugby between South Africa and New Zealand is unbelievable. 'We love playing each other and have great respect for one another. It's going to be an 80-minute battle. We're excited for Saturday and I know the guys are up for it.' Foote emphasised that the Junior Boks remain focused on growth and continuous improvement. 'We'll keep improving and the thing is we've played some awesome rugby in this tournament. I couldn't be prouder of this group. 'I told them in the change room [after the Argentina victory] how proud I am — to be on this journey with them is special. They are absolute warriors and remain humble.' If you blink, you might miss it 🤏👀 Jaco Williams gets South Africa's third against Argentina 🇿🇦🔥 📺 Stream #WorldRugbyU20s on DStv: — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 14, 2025 Foote also credited the U-20 Rugby Championship, held in Gqeberha in May, as a crucial part of their preparation for the world champs. 'Some of the northern hemisphere teams have more than 2,000 minutes of game time per calendar year for their younger players. 'We want to get as much high-quality game time as possible with our players. The reality is in the Rugby Championship, we were building towards the World Rugby U-20 Championship, using it to build synergy and combinations and so we're grateful for that tournament.' The Junior Boks enjoyed a non-training day on Tuesday to recover from their energy-sapping semifinal and resumed preparations on Wednesday at their base in Valpolicella outside Verona. Saturday's final (8.30pm SA time) marks the first time the two sides meet in a World Rugby U-20 Championship decider since South Africa's memorable 22-16 victory over New Zealand in the sold-out 2012 final at Newlands in Cape Town.
TimesLIVE
07-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Thando Biyela to lead Junior Boks in world champs clash against Scots
Loose forward Thando Biyela will lead the Junior Springboks in their third and final Pool A match at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship against Scotland at Stadio San Michele in Calvisano, Italy on Wednesday. Though the SA U-20s show several rotational changes from the team that beat England 32-22 in their previous group match in Rovigo on Friday, the match-23 to face Scotland is a strong combination filled with experience. Fullback Gilermo Mentoe, right wing Cheswill Jooste, outside centre Gino Cupido and flyhalf Vusi Moyo are retained from the starting XV that defeated England. Up front, Matt Romao (loose forward), Jaco Grobbelaar (lock), Jean Erasmus and Oliver Read (both props), and Jaundre Schoeman (hooker) all provided impact off the bench against Australia (SA won 73-23 in their opener) and England and are now in the starting pack. Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote said they have named a team that will play this important pool game with purpose against a good Scotland. A win will solidify the Junior Boks' top spot in Pool A. An absolute beauty by the #JuniorBoks 😮💨 #JourneyToGreatness — SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) July 7, 2025 'We are fortunate the players in our match-23 have experience playing for the Junior Boks against Georgia, in the U-20 Rugby Championship, and also in our warm-up matches against Kenya,' Foote said. 'It is a tremendous honour for any player to represent the Junior Boks and the starting XV for Wednesday have earned that right because everyone has worked extremely hard to be in consideration. 'Thando has captained us already earlier this year, Stephanus Linde played for us against Georgia, while Matt Romao was our man of the match against Argentina in the Rugby Championship. 'Jaco Williams, Jaco Grobbelaar and Oliver Reid have all seen a lot of action in the two previous group matches, while we have more experience that will come off the bench in Herman Lubbe, JJ Theron, Batho Hlekani, and Haashim Pead.' Foote said they have done their homework on Scotland, know what to expect and have a healthy respect for them. Junior Springbok team: 15. Gilermo Mentoe 14. Cheswill Jooste 13. Gino Cupido 12. Dominic Malgas 11. Jaco Williams 10. Vusi Moyo 9. Ceano Everson 8. Stephanus Linde 7. Matt Romao 6. Thando Biyela (captain) 5. Morne Venter 4. Jaco Grobbelaar 3. Jean Erasmus 2. Jaundre Schoeman 1. Oliver Reid Replacements: 16. Siphosethu Mnebelele 17. Phiwayinkosi 'Rambo' Kubheka 18. Herman Lubbe 19. JJ Theron 20. Batho Hlekani 21. Haashim Pead 22. Ian van der Merwe 23. Demitre Erasmus SA Rugby media
TimesLIVE
10-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Strong Junior Bok squad named for U-20 world champs in Italy
Junior Springboks head coach Kevin Foote has included five players who will feature in their second World Rugby U-20 Championship in Italy, with lock Riley Norton retained as captain for the tournament from June 29 to July 19. Prop Phiwayinkosi Kubheka and flyhalf Ian van der Merwe have not played for the South Africa U-20s, while lock Jaco Grobbelaar, No 8 Stephanus Linde and outside back Jaco Williams are back in the squad after missing last month's U-20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha. Kubheka played for the SA U-18s last year and Van der Merwe in 2023, while Linde toured with the Junior Boks in Georgia earlier this year before he picked up an injury that ruled him out of the Rugby Championship. Grobbelaar and Williams were involved with the United Rugby Championship squads for the Bulls and Sharks. Grobbelaar is one of the five players returning for a second World Rugby Championship stint, with utility forward Bathobele Hlekani, prop Herman Lubbe, loose forward Wandile Mlaba and scrumhalf Haashim Pead.
TimesLIVE
30-04-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Norton leads Junior Boks in opening U-20 rugby champs clash vs Pumas
Versatile former South Africa U-18 lock and national age-group cricketer Riley Norton will lead the Junior Springboks into battle when they face Argentina in their opening match at the U-20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha on Thursday. Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote named a team bristling with power among the forwards and pace to burn in the backline for a tough opener against Los Pumitas at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (4.10pm). In the early game on Thursday, defending champions New Zealand face Australia (kickoff 2pm). 'South Africans pride themselves on their set piece and we have worked hard on that in training,' Norton said at Tuesday''s team announcement. Riley Norton to captain Junior Boks against Pumitas Former SA U18 lock and national age-group cricketer Riley Norton will captain the Junior Springboks against Argentina in the opening round of the Rugby Championship U20 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium — SA Sports Press (@SAsportspress) April 30, 2025 'Assistant coach Johann Ackermann has come back from Japan and has been helping us in the forwards. 'We back our maul and scrum and we also have great pace in the backs. 'If the ball can get out wide, we have some dangerous players there such as Gino Cupido, who can get around people.' The Junior Bok starting XV includes Norton, Wandile Mlaba, a member of the 2024 squad, and 2024 SA Schools and SA U-18 captain Sethu Mnebelele among the forwards. The backs feature exciting players such as Blitzbok Cupido and Cheswill Jooste on the wings and Kyle Smith at flyhalf. Foote said his team had a good time preparing for the opening clash in Gqeberha. 'The weather is great and our hosts have been fantastic, which has given us a lot of energy in our training,' he said. 'What stands out for me is the intent and joy of the players. The smiles on their faces tell me they are confident, excited and see this opportunity to represent our country as a huge privilege.' Foote said eagerness and competition among squad members had made selection a tough exercise. 'Our squad selection for this first game was difficult because there are so many talented guys, which speaks volumes about our depth. 'We've decided on a more settled pack. There's only one change in the pack from our last training match against Hamiltons, with our captain Norton coming into the starting line-up after a slight injury.' Foote said this showed the forwards had momentum and he mentioned the synergy they had shown against Hamiltons would give them a good platform upfront, while the backs also excited the coach. 'Among our backs, we have welcomed back Haashim Pead at scrumhalf with his experience. Like Riley, he also had a niggle, which was why he didn't play in the last training match. 'There's also Gino, who comes into the squad after making his Blitzbok debut recently, and JC Mars is also included.' The team received a surprise visit from Eastern Cape premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, who welcomed them to the region. 'As the Eastern Cape government and all the people of this proud province, we are honoured to host this prestigious Sanzaar event, bringing together the future stars of rugby from across the southern hemisphere to the Home of Legends,' Mabuyane said. 'This tournament is more than just rugby, it is an investment in our youth, a boost to our economy and a powerful symbol of the Eastern Cape's growing reputation as a world-class sporting destination as well as its capability to host world-class events.' Junior Springbok team: 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Gino Cupido, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Matt Romao, 6 Thando Biyela, 5 JJ Theron, 4 Riley Norton (capt), 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Sethu Mnebelele, 1 Oliver Reid.
