Latest news with #VusiMoyo
The Herald
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald
‘Proud day for rugby in SA': world champ Junior Boks welcomed back
'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 back-room team and the high-performance department at SA Rugby for what they have achieved in such a short space of time.' The Junior Boks 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 semifinals. They led in the final from the third minute and tries by Xola Nyali and Gilermo Mentoe and 13 points from the boot of Vusi Moyo secured a famous victory. Moyo finished the tournament as the top points' scorer with 63, while scrumhalf Haashim Pead scored six tries, placing him second for the most five-pointers behind Georgia's Mikheili Shioshvili (seven). SA Rugby media
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Relentless Baby Boks claim title
The Baby Blacks are good. But the Baby Boks are just a little bit better. New Zealand's next generation of stars restored the nation's reputation at under-20 level but could not quite get the glory in Italy yesterday. They were beaten 23-15 by South Africa in the final of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship at the Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo. The Baby Blacks were chasing their first world junior title since 2017, a significant drought given they thoroughly dominated the early years of the tournament. But the power in world rugby right now — at all levels, it seems — is South Africa. They were too big, too relentless and too utterly determined to take the trophy home for the first time in 13 years. New Zealand had to do a lot of defending, and while they did it with courage, it eventually took its toll. South Africa made the perfect start to the final when they drove from a lineout and scored a try within three minutes. Classy first five Vusi Moyo, already with 50 points for the tournament, added the conversion. New Zealand fought back after 15 minutes when, from a nifty lineout move, lock Jayden Sa crashed over in the corner. Things went south when prop Sika Pole was sin-binned for a high shot that was quickly upgraded to a 20-minute red card, but South African could add only a penalty in that period, while losing a man of their own to a yellow card, to lead 13-8 at halftime. Rico Simpson and Moyo exchanged penalties as the game stayed in the balance heading into the final quarter. The Baby Blacks went back to 14 men when lock Xavier Treacy was binned, and the Baby Boks scored a cracking try thanks to an inch-perfect kick from outstanding halfback Hassiem Pead. Winger Maloni Kunawave scored a late consolation try for the New Zealanders. Otago halfback Dylan Pledger capped a fine tournament with another solid performance, while Southland midfielder Tayne Harvey got 20 minutes off the bench. 'It was a tough game for the boys, a tough pill to swallow,' New Zealand captain Manumaua Letiu said. 'South Africa showed us how to dominate in the collisions and we couldn't get our attack right. 'It's been an awesome campaign. We've built a really strong culture, and to see New Zealand back in the final makes me proud.' U20 final The scores South Africa 23 Xola Nyali, Gilermo Mentoe tries; Vusi Moyo 2 con, 3 pen. New Zealand 15 Jayden Sa, Maloni Kunawave tries; Will Cole con, Rico Simpson pen. Halftime: South Africa 13-8.
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Junior Springboks join seniors as world champions
The Junior Springboks became the third South African team to claim world champion status by outplaying New Zealand 23-15 in the World Rugby U20 Championship Final in Rovigo on Saturday night. The SA U20s join the reigning Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks, and the Blitzboks at the top of the World Rugby competition podium. The Junior Springboks' tournament victory – their first since 2012 – came on a hot and humid night in Italy where they once again proved the masters of their southern hemisphere foes, beating the Kiwis for a seventh consecutive time in this tournament and the second time in a final, the same as in 2012, when the SA U20s outplayed NZ by 22-16. The class of 2025 won the final on the back of good defence, good discipline and scoring the crucial points when it mattered. They were leading 13-5 at the break and never took their foot off the pedal against a New Zealand team that fought until the end, but to no avail. The Junior Boks started in the best way possible with an early maul try by flanker Xola Nyali, converted by the trusted boot of Vusi Moyo and the 7-0 lead was good early value for money. New Zealand focussed on a stack attack early on, something that worked well for them in their previous encounter against South Africa, by this time around, the Junior Boks' defence held out. A good cover tackle kept New Zealand from scoring from such an attack, but they could not keep out the team in black from a resulting lineout when lock Jayden Sa scored. New Zealand outfoxed their foes in the lineout and Sa come around the front to score and cut the lead to two points. Vusi Moyo extended the lead to 10-5 soon after with a penalty goal and then New Zealand's prop Sika Pole was sent to the sin bin, with his high tackle upgraded to a 20 minute red card. The Junior Boks pressed hard to make the numerical advantage count, but Moyo missed a drop goal as South Africa looked to confirm their upper hand in general play. An injury to Nyali resulted in him being replaced by Stephanus Linde, but the pressure remained on New Zealand, who were guilty of forcing play to combat their absent defender. SA U20 centre Albe Bester was yellow carded for a dangerous ruck entry, but Moyo kicked another penalty when the Junior Blacks strayed offside to push the lead to 13-5 at the break. New Zealand started strongly in the second half, taking the ball through numerous phases and earned a penalty for their efforts. Flyhalf Rico Simpson kicked the points to cut SA's lead to 13-8 after 47 minutes. Moyo cancelled that out with another penalty goal that pushed the lead to 16-8. The Junior Boks were starting to dominate and a try by Haashim Pead seemed to seal the deal, but it was disallowed by the TMO. Moyo then missed a penalty attempt as well, but the South Africans were in control as the championship minutes came into play. They were held up over the tryline and were dominating play, but with no scoreboard reflection. That changed three minutes from full-time though when Pead chipped to the corner, into the waiting arms of fullback Gilermo Mentoe. At 23-8 it was game over and although New Zealand scored a minute later, the win was secured and the bogey finally buried. 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. 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.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Haashim Pead magic dust has been sprinkled on Junior Bok star Vusi Moyo: coach Foote
Junior Springbok flyhalf Vusi Moyo is expected to be a major weapon for the South African side when they face New Zealand in the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship on Saturday night. Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote feels playing next to star scrumhalf Haashim Pead has rubbed off positively on flyhalf sensation Vusi Moyo at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy. The SA U20 flyhalf has scored 50 points in the four games he has played to date, the most by any player of the 12 participating teams. He is once again expected to be key to the South African side's play when they face fierce New Zealand in the final on Saturday evening in Rovigo, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter between the two traditional rugby rivals. According to Foote, Moyo has had an unbelievable tournament. 'Vusi puts a lot into his training and has learnt a lot during his time playing next to Haashim, who's more experienced and played here last year,' said Foote. 'We saw what he did against England – kicking from over 50m. He'll take a lot of confidence into the final.' He was speaking from their Italian base of Valpolicella before of the much-anticipated clash. Grit and flair The Junior Boks have impressed throughout the tournament, with their semi-final victory over Argentina showcasing both attacking flair and defensive grit. Speaking to international media ahead of the big game, Foote praised the team's execution and resilience in their semi-final. 'Our strike plays were outstanding, and the defence was gutsy,' said Foote. 'New Zealand back their attack and they've grown in confidence as the tournament has progressed. Like us, they're passionate and composed – it's going to be a great game.' Skipper Riley Norton emphasised the team's belief and unity heading into the final: 'We've spoken a lot about backing ourselves. Pressure is always going to be there – it's been there throughout the tournament. 'But our confidence comes from our preparation. We haven't played in a final for 11 years, so this is a special moment. Each player truly cares for the team. It's less about pressure and more about excitement,' said Norton. Pead – the tournament's leading try scorer with six, plus a handful of try-assists – also credited the coaching staff for giving the backs the freedom to express themselves. 'Our tries have been a result of the platform laid by the coaches,' said the vice-captain. 'They've prepared us so well and given us the freedom to showcase our skills.'
The Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Foote wants Junior Boks to rise to the occasion in U-20 Champs final vs NZ
Pead has scored six tries in four games, the most by any player so far this year, while also providing numerous assists for teammates. Moyo has racked up 50 points in his four appearances, placing him at the top of the points scoring chart. Just like South Africa, New Zealand are not pushovers as they are unbeaten in the tournament, having topped Pool B before dispatching a dangerous French side in the semifinals to set up an exciting final showdown with the Junior Boks. SA team to face New Zealand in Rovigo: 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Xola Nyali, 5 JJ Theron, 4 Riley Norton (capt), 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Simphiwe Ngobese Replacements: 16 Jaundré Schoeman, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Stephanus Linde, 22 Ceano Everson, 23 Dominic Malgas
