Victorious Junior Springbok team set to arrive in SA
The team made history on Saturday when they ended a 13-year wait to win the World Rugby Under 20 Championship by beating New Zealand.
A small but sizeable crowd is waiting at the arrivals' terminal to welcome home a new generation of South African stars, who've made their mark on the world stage.
Led by captain Riley Norton, they became just the second Junior Springbok team to win the tournament after Wiaan Liebenberg's side did the same in Cape Town in 2012.
The Junior Bok team that year featured future World Cup-winning Springbok stars Steven Kitshoff, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Handré Pollard.
What will become of the class of 2025 remains to be seen, but plenty will be expected of the likes of Norton, Hashim Pead and Vusi Moyo, who made a name for themselves in 2025.
The crowd gathered here has been in high spirits and full of song as they wait for Norton and his teammates to emerge with the coveted trophy in their possession.
SA Rugby will host a press conference shortly where Norton, coach Kevin Foote, and SA president Mark Alexander will address the media.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Rassie looks at player ages, prep for 2027 World Cup
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus called it unfair to phase an older player out of his plans if he was still performing, but would ensure there are back-ups. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said aside from issues in their game play, the team is in a good place halfway through its four-year preparation cycle for the next World Cup. When also asked whether some senior players would still be considered for the 2027 global showpiece in Australia, he said selection would be fair – If older players are still performing, they will be there. Erasmus was speaking to media amid their two-week training camp in Johannesburg ahead of their Rugby Championship title defence. This begins with games against Australia in Johannesburg and Cape Town on 16 and 23 August, respectively. Gap in player experience Thirty-seven Test-capped players are included in the squad for those games, with eight capable Springboks acting as backup. Three Junior Springbok stars who helped their team win the World Rugby U20 Championship joined the camp, as Erasmus seeks depth and eyes all 'possibilities of players' in the coming months and years. When asked about preparation for 2027, Erasmus said, 'I can't really say there are any problems – I am not saying with our game, there are lots of things we must fix.' He said during Covid, players lost out on rugby from school level all the way to domestic and international level. Erasmus saw the result of that in the quality of players currently aged 20 to 26. But he was adapting to this. 'You lose two years of guys developing. But overall, apart from that I'll be looking for excuses because I think we are pretty much on track. 'But we are trying to focus on the now without forgetting the future. We know 2027 is going to be big but if we don't do well leading up to it, we might lose momentum.' Older Springboks will be selected if they perform The Springboks have a number of older players who may retire in the coming years. Siya Kolisi, 34, Cobus Reinach, 35, Bongi Mbonambi, 34, Damian de Allende, 33, Eben Etzebeth, 33, Faf de Klerk, 33, Franco Mostert, 34, Makazole Mapimpi, 35, Vincent Koch, 35, and Willie le Roux, 35, are among them. Erasmus said age was not as important as ability. 'Probably all of us will be involved until 2027 if I don't get fired before then,' he smiled. However, he said, 'Trying to calculate which guys will be there in 2027, that's why we had a camp with 45 guys here. Because we are not 100% sure. 'Some guys we feel iffy, some guys we think will definitely make it. Some guys are just freaks of athletes, like Johnny Sexton who can play until they are 38. But you don't get a lot of those.' That was why he was trying to build a large player base. 'They plan their rugby lives around their age and how well they can play. So if they are still in the top one to three in their positions until 2026, we'll probably play those guys. But making plans like we did, having bigger groups, making sure the younger guys coming through are quite comfortable… I think we are okay.' In recent history, Schalk Brits played in the 2019 World Cup at the age of 38, and Duane Vermeulen was 37 at the 2023 World Cup. Likewise, Deon Fourie was the oldest player to make his Springbok debut, at 36. He was 37 when he played in the 2023 World Cup.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Calls grow for Athletics South Africa board to resign over money scandal
Calls grow for Athletics South Africa board to resign over money scandal A storm is brewing in South African athletics as a group calling itself 'concerned athletes and administrators' calls for the immediate resignation of the Athletics South Africa (ASA) board during a fiery press conference in Milpark on July 28. Citing deep-rooted governance failures and alleged misuse of funds, the group, led by ASA board member Dorah Mgwevu, athletics administrator Ernest Moikangoe, and athlete Keneilwe Sesing, issued a bold ultimatum that ASA President James Moloi and his board have seven days to step down or face protest action. 'We, the concerned stakeholders, administrators, civil society organisations and citizens of South Africa, demand the immediate resignation of the ASA leadership, including the CEO and entire board of directors,' said Moikangoe. ALSO READ: South African youth lead the way in international cue sports and athletics The veteran official said this follows recent allegations that Moloi had used ASA funds for personal gain. This was revealed last month during an oversight hearing by Parliament's Sports, Arts and Culture portfolio committee. The hearing quizzed Moloi about using the federation's credit card at various taverns and liquor stores. 'The findings presented in parliament are a national embarrassment and betrayal of public trust. They paint a picture of an organisation in complete disarray where corruption, neglect of athletes, and gross abuse of funds have become institutionalised. 'We can no longer tolerate a leadership that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the integrity of sport in South Africa.' The group demands the appointment of an interim committee and the launch of a full forensic investigation by the Special Investigating Unit into ASA financial activities from 2020 to 2025. ALSO READ: Sport minister vows action over missing Boxing SA retirement fund 'Our sport is not a fiefdom for thieves and opportunists. ASA is meant to serve athletes – not to fund parties, taverns and corrupt deals,' Moikangoe said. Should the ASA board fail to resign within seven days, Moikangoe said the group will stage a protest at ASA headquarters and petition World Athletics to suspend the federation until their demands are met. Mgwevu echoed Moikangoe's sentiments, saying Moloi should step aside to allow SASCOC's investigation into ASA's financial irregularities – including whether funds were misused – to proceed without his interference. 'The president must step aside. We are aware of the ongoing investigation. 'How do we have this investigation when the accused person still has access to information and witnesses? Will this be a fair investigation? 'We appeal for Moloi to step aside and allow this investigation to take place fairly.' ALSO READ: Ithembelihle learners and teachers unite for sports day In a statement, ASA condemned the press briefing, saying it was reviewing the matters raised in parliament. 'ASA is currently reviewing the recent matters raised in parliament and has pledged to fully cooperate with the SASCOC investigation. 'We are committed to transparency and accountability. We will work closely with SASCOC to address any concerns.'
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates fans book 11 Toyota Quantums
As Orlando Pirates prepare to face Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final this Saturday, 2 August, at Orlando Stadium, a group of dedicated supporters from Mamelodi is making waves—not just for their passion, but for their inspired effort to get to the game. City's solid showing last season and their return to the MTN8 prove they are more than capable of producing a surprise against Orlando Pirates. Rise and Shine will arrive in Soweto with nothing to lose and everything to gain, which could make them a dangerous opponent. Kaizer Chiefs fixtures in August: Five matches in 20 days In a spirited show of support, Buccaneers fans from Mamelodi have fully booked 11 Toyota Quantum minibuses to transport them to the stadium in Soweto. Kaizer Chiefs to have a new number 11 and 6 Each supporter paid R140 for the return trip, with the initiative ensuring that approximately 140 fans will travel together in a convoy, arriving in full force to back Orlando Pirates. 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.
