Latest news with #U20RugbyChampionship
TimesLIVE
7 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Proteas search for solutions to erase Black Caps hoodoo
The next few days in the Proteas camp will be spent in search of solutions on how to sucker-punch New Zealand in the Tri-Series final in Harare on Saturday. The Black Caps have been all over South Africa like a rash in white ball cricket in 2025, dating back to the Champions Trophy semifinal and now in the series in Zimbabwe. The Proteas squad on duty in Harare is a second-string outfit but they will not have taken kindly to being convincingly beaten twice by the Kiwis in a 21-run defeat last week and a seven-wicket loss on Tuesday. 💬 Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka reflect with pride as they celebrate the success of their former teammate, Riley Norton, who led the Junior Springboks to glory in the U20 Rugby Championship! 🏆🇿🇦 #WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 22, 2025 In the most recent defeat, batting was the main issue, while in the first game it was ill-discipline in line and length by the Proteas bowlers that let the Black Caps batsmen off the hook as they recovered from 74/5 to register 173/5. Other than Reeza Hendricks' 41, there were no major contributions in the batting, even though the coaches reshuffled the order. With the ball, Senuran Muthusamy gave South Africa some hope soon after the power play with the dismissals of Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman, but man-of-the-match Tim Seifert had already done the damage. 'I think obviously a better batting performance is needed. We'll reflect and see how everybody went about the game today,' Hendricks said. 'We have a couple of days of practise, and hopefully on Saturday, we come out a lot stronger. 'We've played against them now, so we know what they're bringing and they know what we're about too. So we just have to reflect on our own games and hopefully we can put up a better performance.' Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has used the series, his first as white ball coach since taking the reins from Rob Walter, who is coaching New Zealand, for experimental purposes. He roped in several young players, including Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kwena Maphaka, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane and Dewald Brevis. This is part of a strategy to get them used to the environment, and to be part of the preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup. A win over the Black Caps and lifting the trophy will no doubt be considered a bonus and a step in the right direction. Daily Dispatch
The Citizen
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Triumphant Junior Bok captain Norton content with choosing rugby
Norton made the tough decision to choose rugby over cricket, having played for the Proteas U19 team at last year's U19 Cricket World Cup in SA. Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton on his arrival with the World Rugby U20 Championship trophy at OR Tambo airport earlier this week. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images Triumphant Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton is content with his decision to choose pursuing rugby over cricket, and he admits that winning the World Rugby U20 Championship certainly makes it feel like he made the correct call. Norton led the Junior Bok side through an unbeaten campaign in Italy, which culminated with a 23-15 win over the Junior All Blacks in the final on Saturday, which saw them become just the second South African team to lift the trophy, after the class of 2012 did it on home turf. Norton is a dual sports star and during his matric year in 2024 he represented the Proteas U19 team during the U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. However, since finishing school he has signed a contract with Western Province rugby, and was selected as captain of the Junior Boks, leading them during the U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha earlier this year, and at the world champs. 'I am very content with my choice, and winning competitions makes it a lot easier. I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to play both sports, and cricket taught me so much that I can take into rugby,' said Norton after lifting the trophy on Saturday night. 'So I am really grateful for the opportunities I have been given in South Africa. But there's no sport like rugby if I'm being honest. I love the camaraderie, the intensity and the physical and mental part of it. 'I'm very grateful to be in a position like this, being able to play rugby for my country, and hopefully I can continue growing.' Cricket low Norton also experienced the lows of a major competition, when the Proteas U19s were beaten in the semifinals of last year's U19 World Cup, and he said he had taken plenty out of that disappointment, which had helped him during the U20 championship. 'It's definitely something I thought about personally. That semifinal (loss) against India hurt me quite a bit, because we were in such a good position and chucked it away, especially playing at home,' explained Norton. 'So you never like to lose semis and finals, but that (loss) taught me a lot. Things like staying in the present, not being complacent and taking things moment by moment and whistle to whistle. That's something I took out of cricket that I could put into rugby. 'That definitely did motivate me, because we all want to win trophies and medals in sport. So to get so close in such an unbelievable set-up and environment and come up short in a game we should've won, gave me personal motivation to try and get us (Junior Boks) over the line. 'I'm just so proud of the guys and the effort that they put in, because without the team and the whole unit of coaches and management, none of this would've been possible.'
IOL News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote still in 'pinch me, wake me up' land after historic U20 triumph
The Junior Springboks and their coaching staff celebrate winning the World Rugby U20 Championship on Saturday in Italy. Image: Maurilio Boldrini / World Rugby Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote says he must still pinch himself at what the team achieved as they arrived back in South Africa with the World Rugby Under-20 Championship title. The Baby Boks defeated the Junior All Blacks 25-13 in the final on Saturday in Italy to claim a second title after years of coming close. Foote and his fellow coaches led the team to a first victory in 13 years. The coach said on Monday, as the team arrived back home, that the feeling of what they've achieved, still comes and goes, although it has not fully sunk in yet. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Sometimes the feeling is you can't believe it, and then you settle down and come here and see the people. It is special,' Foote said. 'For now, it doesn't feel real. It feels like a dream. We didn't focus too much on not having won the tournament in a while, because that adds pressure. We had a tough pool and that was enough pressure. 'There was England, the defending champions, we had to beat. Australia beat us in the U20 Rugby Championship, and Scotland were three points behind England in the Six Nations U20. We wanted to ensure that our pool games went well. Cheering fans flocked to the airport to welcome home the triumphant #JuniorBoks on Monday, with Mr Mark Alexander saying: 'Many of them have the potential to go on to higher honours, I am sure' - more here: 🏆#JourneyToGreatness #WorldRugbyU20s — SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) July 21, 2025 'Our last message before that final to them was if you can be anything in the world, be yourself, and they played incredible rugby.' Foote said the Southern Hemisphere tournament prepped them well for what awaited in Italy. While they lost to teams like the Junior All Blacks and the Aussies in Gqeberha, it allowed them to experiment with team selections to fine-tune their best squad for the U20 Championship. Even when the Junior Boks kept changing their players for certain matches, the previous experience of playing together ensured they didn't lose continuity during the tournament. The Junior Bok coach is hopeful that his players can kick on from this major victory to make a name for themselves on the senior stage. Plenty of them will receive an opportunity during the upcoming Currie Cup for their respective franchises. The Junior Boks get their try ⚡ Haashim Pead spots the space and Jaco Williams finishes it off 💪💪#SSRugby | #WorldRugbyU20s — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 19, 2025 Speedsters Cheswill Jooste and Demitre Erasmus are signed up for the Bulls, while Junior Bok captain Riley Norton and centre Gino Cupido could feature for Western Province somewhere in the next couple of weeks. 'My hope for these players now is that they stay in the fight. They all have dreams to play for the Springboks. But the reality is that there will be a lot of players who never get the opportunity. They also have dreams to play in the United Rugby Championship. 'They must just keep believing in what they have done. If they do that, there will be plenty of names you'll see in the future.'
eNCA
21-07-2025
- 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.
IOL News
20-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
I am so proud to be South African, says Junior Springboks captain Norton
Captain Riley Norton lifts the trophy as the Junior Springboks celebrate their 23-15 U20 Championship final win over New Zealand in Italy. Photo: World Rugby Image: World Rugby Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton said team unity and passionate defence combined to produce 'the greatest day of my life' as New Zealand were beaten 23-15 in the final of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy on Saturday night. It was the Baby Boks' first victory in the tournament since 2012, when they also beat New Zealand — that time at Newlands. 'I'm quite emotional, but I'm just so proud,' Norton said. 'The amount of work that we put in after not a great U20 Rugby Championship … "Our backs were against the wall and we just came out and gave it everything. The group is unbelievable — the management, the coaches — we all pulled into a common idea. It wasn't easy at times, but yes, this is the greatest day of my life.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Norton said a commitment to the basics laid the foundation for the win over their long-time rivals. 'We had to show up physically. That's our DNA. "That's where we South Africans get our passion and our energy from. The set phase, the maul, the scrum, the hits — the guys did that for 80 minutes. 'And of course, Vusi Moyo with his unbelievable boot, always putting us on the front foot and kicking those penalties — it's just unbelievable.' Moyo contributed 13 invaluable points from the tee, while flanker Xola Nyali and fullback Gilermo Mentoe crossed for tries. Norton said the team had embraced the pressure of being considered pre-tournament favourites. Reaction from the #JuniorBoks in Rovigo: 'It was a real South African defensive effort and gees that won it for us today' - more here: 🫡#JourneyToGreatness #WorldRugbyU20s — SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) July 20, 2025 'The amount of support we received from South Africa — videos from our mates, people sending us messages and just backing us — was just unbelievable. I'm so proud to be South African, and we couldn't have done it without our fans back home cheering us on every step of the way.' Head coach Kevin Foote praised his team's defensive resilience and refusal to let the Kiwis back into the match, even when they were camped on the South African tryline for long spells. 'Defence is all about character, and there were moments when New Zealand were right on our line, but we held firm,' Foote said. 'From a coach's perspective, you can't ask for more than that. It was a real South African defensive effort and gees (spirit) that won it for us today.' Foote, who took charge of the Junior Boks at the end of last year, described the squad as a special group of young 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've achieved now is amazing. Being on this journey with them has been incredibly special, and I'll never take it for granted.' Foote added that he never lost belief, even when New Zealand were surging: 'I looked at the players on the field and saw their body language — they were so present and in the moment. They had such belief, and I'm incredibly proud of what they've achieved here in Italy.'
