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
19 hours ago
- IOL News
Springbok Women taking lessons to heart despite expensive school fees
Springbok Women's captain Babalwa Latsha wants to see an improvement in their game when they take on New Zealand at Athlone Stadium. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media The Springbok Women's team would have taken a lot of lessons from the defeats they suffered in the two-Test series against Canada. School fees for those lessons were quite expensive, as the South Africans suffered 50-20 and 33-5 hammerings at the hands of the second-ranked Canadians in Pretoria and Gqeberha respectively. But it was the best eye opener ahead of next month's Women's Rugby World Cup in England. Now, ahead of two matches against New Zealand's Black Ferns XV in Cape Town, it's time to learn from the mistakes and implement the lessons learned. The Bok Women have come a long way over the last 18 months, but the gap between themselves and the top rugby nations is still wide. They are ranked 12th in the world, and are 20 ranking points behind New Zealand, who are currently ranked third in the world. Top-ranked England are 29 points ahead of the Bok Women. 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 ✕ The positive aspect is that the Bok Women are aware of their shortcomings and have embraced the lessons learned. The focus now is to improve with each passing game, and use it every minute to get better and to give themselves a chance to be competitive at the global showpiece event. Forward Babalwa Latsha, who will lead South Africa on Saturday against the New Zealanders at Athlone Stadium (5pm kickoff), says they want to sharpen their arsenal for next month's Rugby World Cup. The experienced prop said they will be keen for more improvements around the breakdown and set piece. 'The Rugby World Cup is just 30 days away and we are using this opportunity to fine tune our game, as we will do again next weekend,' Latsha said. 'We worked hard on areas such as the breakdown in order to improve in that aspect of play and that will be a focus area for us tomorrow again. 'The two matches against Canada provided us with valuable learnings and the next two against this very capable Black Ferns XV will do so again.' The Women Boks have been boosted by the return of star lock Vainah Ubisi, who makes a welcome return from injury to the green and gold, having last played for the Springbok Women in last year's WXV 2 tournament at the same venue. The Bulls Daisies' second-rowwer Ubisi is a dynamic player, with a massive presence at lineout time and a top ball-carrier. She will certainly add some much-needed grunt and skill to the Women Boks' forward effort, especially at set-piece time. Latsha said although their set piece worked well against Canada, they are looking for more improvement on Saturday. 'There is no doubt that the Black Ferns XV will test us, they are a very skilful team with a number of very experienced players in key positions, but to be honest, for us this match will be about ourselves and what we want to achieve,' Latsha added. For Latsha, returning to Athlone Stadium is also a treat. In the last two seasons, the Bok Women played at the Cape Town venue in WXV 2. 'Yes, the stadium has now almost become a home base for us,' she said. 'I think it is fair to say that we have managed to build up a support base out there and I hope and believe that the crowds will come out again this weekend to come and support us. We would love nothing more to feed off the energy from the crowd, so I really hope they come in numbers.'
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ackermann talks up star quality of Junior Bok players included in Rassie's training group
Junior Springbok loose forward Bathobele Hlekani, winger Cheswill Jooste, and scrumhalf Haashim Pead will join the senior side for a two-week training camp. Johan Ackermann has sung the praises of three U20 players who have been included in the upcoming Springbok training group. Loose forward Bathobele Hlekani, winger Cheswill Jooste, and scrumhalf Haashim Pead join 37 Test-capped Springboks for the two-week camp in Johannesburg starting on Sunday. It follows the side's triumphant World Rugby U20 Championship campaign, where Pead (six tries) and Jooste were two of the most dangerous backline players in the tournament. Hlekani was also solid in his carries to help lift the trophy. Ackermann served as a consultant for the Junior Springboks from January to July, finishing his stint on a high with their title win. Now appointed head coach of the Bulls, he leaves with fond memories from his time with the Junior Boks. 'I hope the future will have the same' 'It was a privilege working with them,' Ackermann said. 'The outstanding thing was the hunger they had. Even the players who didn't make the 30 [championship squad], the players we had to release, they were so hungry to do well. They were so eager to learn. I hope the future will have the same.' He said there was not one argument or incident of grumbling among the group, adding that coach Kevin Foote, assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa and captain Riley Norton were special in how they turned a talented group into one that could achieve greatness. Ackermann discussed the strengths of each player included in the Bok group at length. He said Jooste had 'tremendous feet'. 'He's extremely fast, and he's tough. If he needs to run through a guy, he will do it. Even if he doesn't have the size, he will take him on. He is not afraid in defence. If you give him space, he's gone.' The coach commended Pead, who broke France star Antoine Dupont's U20 record for running metres by a scrumhalf in the pool stages of the tournament. Pead ran 232 metres from 15 carries, surpassing Dupont's 227 set in 2016. Ackermann described Pead as an outstanding nine and one of the team's leaders. 'He brings a lot of calmness. He doesn't get fazed. His demeanour is relaxed and he takes that over to the game.' He said the youngster could see space like few could, and was good in his box kicking. Ackermann sees potential in powerhouse Hlekani 'Batho is a big man, strong. Good ball carrier, physical. I used him a lot for the mauls and we got him jumping, because when I got there he wasn't jumping in the lineouts. 'In a one-on-one tackle he can hit you. Probably his biggest work-on is that he sometimes tends to think he can keep everybody up because he is so strong, and then he loses metres.' He said the big man also needed to ensure his work rate didn't drop during the course of a full match, like it did in the semi-final against Argentina. 'So if he can keep his work rate up, he's got all the physical attributes to be a very good flanker.'
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Former Junior Bok ineligible for England despite residency
Jacques Vermeulen has been ruled ineligible to play for England despite meeting World Rugby's five-year residency requirement. The 30-year-old flank, who recently signed for Sale Sharks after several standout seasons at Exeter Chiefs, was reportedly on the radar of England coach Steve Borthwick. But Vermeulen's involvement in the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship has shut the door on his Test ambitions. Back then, the Junior Springboks were South Africa's designated second team. That means Vermeulen's single appearance at the tournament officially capped him for South Africa, even though he never played Test rugby. World Rugby's eligibility rules allow players to switch nations only if they were born in the new country, or have a parent or grandparent who was. Vermeulen doesn't qualify under those terms. 'It's very frustrating,' Vermeulen told BBC Radio Devon. 'I don't know why they're stopping it. How can they say that because you played for the U20s when you were 19 or 20, you're capped for a country?' Also read: Japanese club snaps up Saffa trio Vermeulen, who played a key role in Exeter's 2019-20 Premiership and Champions Cup double, said he felt bitterly disappointed, especially after completing his five-year residency and beginning the process of acquiring British citizenship. Adding to his frustration is the perceived inconsistency in how the rules are applied. 'Look how many guys are playing for Scotland who played for the Junior Boks – guys like Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman [both in 2014 when the SA U20s were not SA Rugby's designated second team],' he said. 'I get really angry about it because I'm like, how can you stop a guy after they played 10 years ago for a country?' The post England can't pick ex-Junior Bok appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
