Junior Boks' ‘hunger and aggression' an inspiration for the Boks, says Kolisi
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says the Junior Boks have been setting a standard at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy for the senior team to aspire towards.
The Junior Boks are up against fierce rivals, the Junior All Blacks, in the final of the competition in Rovigo on Saturday night, which is their third final appearance and first since 2014, while they will be hoping to emulate their only win which came on home soil in 2012.
Ahead of the Boks' one-off Test against Georgia in Mbombela on Saturday, Kolisi backed their junior counterparts to the hilt, praising their thrilling attacking playing style that has powered them to the trophy match.
'We are so proud of them. They have shown us the standard. Coach Rassie (Erasmus) used them as an example, with the hunger that they have and how aggressive they are. And how in their last game (semifinal against Argentina) they took every opportunity that was on offer,' said Kolisi.
'That's what they are going to need (against New Zealand U20). I also love how you can't single any player out. They are all doing their role and it is really beautiful to see.
'They all struggled in the games they played (in the U20 Rugby Championship) in Gqeberha (a few months ago). The way they have come back has been inspiring and has set the tone for us, because they play the same gameplan as us. So we wish them everything of the best and we will be supporting them tomorrow (Saturday).'
Impact on SA
Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick also praised the junior side, hailing the impact they are having on South Africa.
'We haven't been missing their games. We have been following them closely and they have been making our country very proud. You can see the way they are playing, they understand what it means, and that it isn't only about them,' said Stick.
'I know they are playing away in Italy, but the way they are fighting is fantastic. I like the cohesion in their team, you can see they are in a good space, and every player has performed when they have gotten an opportunity.
'For those youngsters, I know one thing for sure. Playing a Rugby World Cup final, even at junior level, does change your life. It opens many channels and opportunities. So we wish them all the best, we are 100% behind them and we will definitely be watching tomorrow.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Beefy Bartho Hlekani can fill a big hole for Lions after injury blow against the Sharks in Currie Cup
Angelo Davids of the Lions scores, despite the attentions of Phiko Sobahle of the Sharks at Emirates Airline Park this past weekend. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The Lions' handsome 46-5 Currie Cup victory over the Sharks came at a cost, with flank Izan Esterhuizen suffering a serious injury. However, this setback could be offset by the timely arrival of burly Bathobele Hlekani, a Junior Springbok who made a huge impact in Italy. Hlekani has been with the Sharks but, curiously, has slipped out of their net. His signature is a significant coup for a Lions squad that usually sees players going the other way — to Durban, as has been the recent case with Springbok Edwill van der Merwe and Emmanuel Tshituka. 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 ✕ Hlekani was one of three players from the victorious Junior Bok side at the World U20 Championship to be invited to train with the Springboks. Lions coach Mzwakhe Nkosi said they would like Hlekani to join them pronto. 'Izan's injury looks like a season-ender,' Nkosi said. 'We will try and get Batho to Joburg sooner rather than later. Yeah, he's probably out for the season, so we have to scramble hard. I just spoke to the CEO; we will have to source another openside flanker as soon as possible,' the coach added. The Lions outclassed a Sharks side that was packed with newcomers. With ball in hand, Bathobele Hlekani drives forward, a formidable force who will soon bring his Junior Springbok power and talent to the Lions' pack. Photo: World Rugby Image: World Rugby 'I wouldn't say we were a more experienced side, but we are probably more settled,' Nkosi said. 'Nico Steyn just turned 22, and Jarrod Cairns has only just turned 23. SJ Kotze is still 21; RF Schoeman hasn't turned 22 yet. We are probably a whole lot more settled than JP's team (Pietersen's). When SJ came on, I thought he made a difference.' 'I am happy with the level of performance,' Nkosi continued. 'We were a bit apprehensive. We haven't played a game. The Pumas have played two or three, Griquas have played, and Province have played two. "So, we and the Bulls have gone in cold. We were nervous. So it's good that we got the cobwebs out, and also that we got a result like we got.' Nkosi praised the performances of Angelo Davids and Rabs Maxwane, who were constant threats on attack. Davids has joined the Lions from the Stormers. 'If you can have guys like Angelo and Rabs on the edges, you want to get the ball to them sooner rather than later. That's who we are and how we want to play. "Angelo will hit his straps. He must have had three games in two seasons. He has been frustrated; his game hasn't improved at the trajectory that he would have liked. "So, hopefully, before the start of the URC, he can get to a place where he can compete. And obviously, there is a vacancy with the departure of Edwill van der Merwe, so hopefully, he can put his hand up to stake a claim in that URC team.'
IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
Physicality pays off: Springbok Women's shift in tactics delivers
Springbok Women flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg takes on the Black Ferns defence. Photo: Henk Kruger Independent Media Image: Henk Kruger Independent Media Performance coach Swys de Bruin admitted that a shift in the Springbok Women's approach after half-time bore fruit as they came close to a come-from-behind win against the Black Ferns XV at Athlone Stadium on Saturday. South Africa were more direct and physical in the second half, keeping the ball tight and employing crash-ball tactics after being outplayed in the opening 40 minutes. 'We simply did not get going in the first half, but I have to give credit to the team for the way they adapted in the second half, where we created numerous chances,' De Bruin said after the 34–26 defeat to the New Zealanders, who led 20–12 at the break. 'If we did not have one of our tries disallowed at a crucial stage in the second half, who knows what could have happened at the end.' 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 Powering up The Bok defence conceded four tries in the first half and only two in the second, with the South Africans gaining momentum through a more confrontational approach and the impact of a strong bench. 'We made a call at half-time to change our approach and play more direct, and that worked for us tonight,' said De Bruin. 'It was a night where we needed physicality and the shortest route forward, and we almost managed to turn the result around, something that I am very pleased about. It is all part of the learning curve as we head to the Rugby World Cup next month. 'We had some combinations that worked earlier in the season, like in the match against Spain where we scored several backline tries. But tonight we needed physical ball-carriers, and those combinations were better suited against a very skilful Black Ferns XV.' Swys de Bruin: 'We made a call at half-time to change our approach and play more direct, and that worked for us' - more here: 🗣#BokWomen #MakeItCount — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) July 26, 2025 Leading from the front One of those who embraced the change in tactics was captain and No 8 Babalwa Latsha, who scored one of the Bok Women's four tries. She said the players were comfortable with a more forward-driven strategy. 'We don't mind that at all – we are good in close-range rugby where we can use our physicality,' said Latsha. 'But the Black Ferns deserve credit as they showed good skills on a windy afternoon, and they really used their scoring opportunities well. Not so much for us – we created a lot of chances but didn't take them all, and that will again be a work-on for us this week.' It remains to be seen whether the Springboks will stick with the direct strategy when the sides meet again at the same venue next weekend – their final official outing before the World Cup. 'We wanted these games to see what we need to do better or where we are doing well, so next weekend will be that final test for the team and the combinations,' said De Bruin. 'I am very proud of our effort in that second half and the clarity that gave the coaching staff.'
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Proteas snatch defeat from jaws of victory as Black Caps claim Tri-Series crown in Harare
The Proteas fell agonisingly short in the T20I Tri-Series final against the New Zealand in Harare on Saturday. Picture: Zimbabwe Cricket In a thrilling encounter at Harare, New Zealand clinched the Tri-series T20 final against South Africa by a mere three runs on Saturday. Winning the toss, the Proteas opted to bowl first, a decision that initially seemed promising but ultimately proved to be a challenging one. The Kiwis started their innings with a strong foundation as their top three batters contributed substantially to a formidable total of 180 runs. Devon Conway and Tim Seifert forged an effective partnership that saw them set the pace early on. Conway's innings unfolded impressively, before he fell to Lungi Ngidi for a well-played 47 off 31 balls. Seifert, also with a notable contribution of 30 runs from 28 balls, was dismissed in the 9th over, leaving the Proteas desperate for breakthroughs. In the midst of a growing Kiwi momentum, Rachin Ravindra emerged as the game-changer. He wreaked havoc on the Proteas with a blistering 47 runs from just 27 deliveries, boasting a strike rate of 174.
