Junior Springboks face tough selection choices ahead of U20 Championship semi-final against Argentina
Image: Sabrina Conforti / World Rugby
The Junior Springboks will face off against Argentina when the two Southern Hemisphere sides meet in the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship on Monday evening in Italy.
After a flawless group stage, the South African U20s progressed as the top-ranked side to the playoffs, while the Junior Pumas snuck in as the fourth side after finishing with more points than former champions England.
On Wednesday, the Junior Boks completed their second 70-plus point victory after drubbing Scotland 73-14, scoring 11 tries in the process. They beat Australia in the opening round 73-17 and tackled their way to a 32-22 win over the English.
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 ✕
Ad loading
Now, a rematch against the Pumitas awaits after the two sides played out a thrilling encounter during the U20 Rugby Championship earlier this year. South Africa won that game and will bank on that momentum and their unbeaten form to steer them to another victory.
After making several changes to the side, head coach Kevin Foote was pleased that the players didn't slack on their intensity. They continued where they left off against the Aussies and England and kept Scotland under pressure for most of the match.
'It will be a very difficult job and will be hard to leave guys out,' Foote said of selecting a side for the semis after the performance of all the players.
And then there were four 🙌
Who are you backing to become #WorldRugbyU20s champions? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/sWGKru0QFF — World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 9, 2025
'That was a mature effort (against Scotland), and our squad is in a good place. I thought our back row was excellent around the breakdown. Some of those tries were great, and most of them were because of the work done at the breakdown and the massive effort upfront, which gave the boys such a good platform. And when they got the space in front of them, they really were exciting on the attack.
'The guys are a humble bunch, and immediately after the game in the change room, they were happy, but there was a real purpose amongst them to move onto the next job.'
While resting key players, Foote will now have to juggle his selection as he brings back players like captain Riley Norton, his lock partner JJ Theron, scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who scored another try coming off the bench, and outside centre Demitre Erasmus.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
SABC to televise Orlando Pirates MTN8 match
SABC will televise the MTN8 quarter-final match between Orlando Pirates and Polokwane City on Saturday afternoon. The highly anticipated quarter-final fixture takes place at Orlando Stadium at 15:00. The two sides are not only raising the curtain to the new season, but also provide a duel that could determine where the coveted piece of silverware, which has resided in the Bucs quarters for the past three years, ends up next. Having provided a permanent home for the trophy in recent seasons, the Soweto Giants are more than determined to create even more history as the first side to lift it on four consecutive occasions. Orlando Pirates have won the competition four times in the last five editions and are favourites once again this season. The Buccaneers head into their season opener having added an ex-Rise and Shine player in Oswin Appollis among their off-season signings. The winger is joined by a few more potential Bucs debutants ahead of the clash, with the likes of Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Yanela Mbuthuma and Sihle Nduli, with the club also kicking off the new season with a new leadership structure in the form of new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and recently-appointed skipper Nkosinathi Sibisi. The Orlando Pirates pre-season preparations included a return to the Spanish coast, where they faced English outfit Bolton Wanderers and Pafos from Cyprus, along with more familiar foes in Las Palmas and Granada, who they had locked horns with in their previous trips to Malaga. These European excursions have usually been followed up by some silverware, but the Soweto Giants will know better than to rest on their laurels as they encounter a tricky proposition in the form of their quarter-final opponents. The match will kick off at 15:00, streaming live on SuperSport PSL (202) and SABC 1. Live updates will be provided across Orlando Pirates social media platforms throughout the game. 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
4 hours ago
- IOL News
After last season's MTN8 final heartbreak, Stellenbosch set out with hope against AmaZulu
Steve Barker After a heart-wrenching near miss in last season's MTN8 final, Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker will hope his team will go one better this time. Photo: BackpagePix Stellenbosch FC came painfully close to claiming their maiden MTN8 title last season, only to fall 3-1 to Orlando Pirates in what many deemed a controversial final. With the score level at 1-1, the turning point arrived with a late free-kick that Pirates executed from a disputed position, a decision that went unchallenged due to the absence of VAR. Stellenbosch have finished as quarterfinalists, semifinalists, and runners-up in the last three competitions, and now stand poised to take the next step towards championship glory. On Sunday, Stellenbosch take on AmaZulu in an MTN8 quarter-final (starting 15h00). Both teams, having experienced heartache in previous seasons, are desperate to secure their first title in this competition, making for an exciting matchup between two hungry squads. Coach Steve Barker's Stellenbosch squad faces a challenging rebuild this season after losing key players in the transfer window. The departure of captain and left-back Fawaaz Basadien to Mamelodi Sundowns will be particularly keenly felt, as his creative influence was pivotal. Midfielder Sihle Nduli's move to the Pirates adds to Barker's rebuilding woes as he navigates a new chapter for the club. AmaZulu also enters this quarter-final with a palpable craving for success, making their longing for an MTN8 title even more surprising. Historically, AmaZulu has never managed to lift this trophy despite being a mainstay in South African football. Their near miss in 2022, when they lost 1-0 to Pirates, echoes the disappointment of previous finals, including their 1976 setback against Kaizer Chiefs. With only one knockout trophy, now the Carling Knockout secured back in 1992, other honours have eluded this storied club. Barker urged his side to go all the way this time around. 'Last season we got to the final and unfortunately we didn't go all the way and win it,' Barker said. 'We have a big desire to go one step closer, but we have to get past a difficult opponent. Everybody's ambition is to win the MTN8. 'Preparation has gone well, we worked hard during pre-season and I look forward to the game.' AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane, the Kaizer Chiefs legend, believes that Stellenbosch will present a unique list of challenges. 'Difficult one, Stellenbosch are not an easy team to play against. We are playing in Cape Town. They know the conditions where they are based,' Zwane said. 'So, for us, it will be the case of adapting there and dealing with everything that comes our way. Mentally and physically, the guys are ready, and they know the importance of us going into the next round.' Stellenbosch are likely to adopt an aggressive playing style that puts them on the front foot, with Ashley Cupido leading the charge. His dynamic attacking skills have made waves during the team's pre-season preparations. The versatile forward will be a critical asset as Stellenbosch gears up to showcase their prowess on the pitch. AmaZulu will be keen to thwart Cupido's ambitions with their captain, Riaan Hanamub, spearheading its tightly-knit defence. A player with extensive experience, Hanamub will have the task of not only commanding his backline but also keeping Cupido at bay. The challenge posed by Stellenbosch will require Hanamub's know-how, as he prepares to lead his team against what is expected to be a formidable attacking onslaught.
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
South African flag raised TWICE at World Aquatics Championships
The South African flag was raised twice more at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Friday as Pieter Coetzé claimed silver in the 200m backstroke and Kaylene Corbett a bronze in the 200m breaststroke. After his victory in the 100m backstroke on Tuesday, Coetzé lined up among the favourites, having qualified fastest for the final of the 200m event with a new African record in the semi-finals. The Pretoria swimmer went out hard in the final, turning first at both the 50m and 100m marks under world record pace, but was hunted down in the second half of the race by Olympic champion Hubert Kόs. While Coetzé closed in on the Hungarian in the final metres of the race, he just couldn't out-touch him, finishing second in 1:53.36 seconds, just 0.17 of a second off the gold. That took almost a second off the African record he set in the semi-finals and is the seventh fastest time in history. Both Kόs and Coetzé's times beat Kόs's gold medal-winning time from last year's Olympic Games in Paris. 'Coming into this, I didn't really expect to go that fast. This has exceeded all my expectations and it's just a big honour to be in a race like that,' said an elated Coetzé afterwards. 'I kind of expected to be out very fast. I could feel that I was moving at a high pace, and I knew that I would feel it in the end, and I did. 'But it's a big PB for me so I'm super-happy with the time.' Just one race later, Corbett dived in for the final of the 200m breaststroke. The 26-year-old reached the first turn in fifth place and steadily worked her way up to fourth by the second and third. A final push saw her surging into medal contention, claiming a joint bronze medal with Russian Alina Zmushka in a time of 2:23.52. Olympic champion Kate Douglass of the USA took the gold in a championship record time of 2:18.50, the second fastest time in history, with world record-holder Evgeniia Chikunova second in 2:19.96. 'It's been a really hectic year, and it just feels like it really came together when it should, so I'm just really, really stoked about it. I'm very, very happy,' said an emotional Corbett after claiming her first world championship medal. 'I just think that I gave everything I had, and I'm just really proud of myself with that performance.' The Pretoria swimmer has reached all her previous major finals alongside South Africa's four-time Olympic medallist and former world-record holder Tatjana Smith and added: 'Even though the world record-holder was there [tonight], even though the Olympic champion was there, I've been fortunate enough to swim next to Tatjana, so I know that those titles don't always mean everything all the time. 'I've been fortunate enough to swim under pressure next to her my whole career basically so it's really special to be able to win this medal. I just wish she was on the podium with me.' Kaylene Corbett wins a share of the bronze medal. Image: Wade Brennan Meanwhile, Erin Gallagher added more joy for the South Africans, finishing second in her 50m butterfly semi-final to book a spot in Saturday's final. The 26-year-old powered to a time of 23.39 seconds, bettering her own national record and finishing just one hundredth of a second off Egyptian Farida Osman's continental mark. That sees Gallagher through to the final as the third fastest qualifier. 'I'm so happy with that swim. I honestly think I owe it to Pieter and Kaylene, my team-mates, for winning medals tonight,' said Gallagher afterwards. 'I was in the call-room screaming, and they just got me excited for my race and I thought I can't drop the ball – my team-mates have done so incredibly well, I need to get into that final tonight and I think that spurred me on in the race.' Earlier in the day, Catherine van Rensburg finished 25th overall in the 800m freestyle in a time of 8 minutes 50.60 seconds. It'll be a busy day for the South African team in Singapore on Saturday with Coetzé returning to the pool for the 50m backstroke and Corbett for the 50m breaststroke, while Caitlin de Lange will be taking on the 50m freestyle. The mixed 4x100m freestyle relay team will also be in action before Gallagher's 50m butterfly final in the evening session. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
