Junior Boks shrug off pressure as they eye first U20 title in 13 years in final vs NZ
Kevin Foote’s team could become the first South African team since 2012 to win the title and bring an end to a run of 13 lean years without the trophy, despite having highly rated teams and players in that time.
Picture: @SAJuniorRugby/X
JOHANNESBURG - History beckons for the Junior Springboks when they play New Zealand in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship final in Rovigo, Italy on Saturday.
Coach Kevin Foote’s team could become the first South African team since 2012 to win the title and bring an end to a run of 13 lean years without the trophy, despite having highly rated teams and players in that time.
Led by Riley Norton, the Junior Boks reached their first final in 11 years courtesy of wins over Australia, England and Scotland in the group stage, followed by a convincing 48-24 semi-final victory over Argentina on Monday night.
Foote has decided to keep the same lineup that won earlier this week, as he named an unchanged lineup to play New Zealand. The two teams contesting the final have met each other before this year, where the Kiwis came away with a 48-45 in SANZAAR’s U20 Rugby Championship hosted in Gqeberha in May.
Despite that defeat, Norton and his teammates are undaunted by the task ahead of them. They are approaching the final confidently and looking forward to dazzling on the big stage.
"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.
Saturday’s final between the Junior Boks and New Zealand in Rovigo will kick off at 20h30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
The Junior Springbok 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 (captain)
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