Latest news with #JuniorSpringboks'
IOL News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Saru's Rian Oberholzer: Springbok rugby's future in good hands after U20 success
The Junior Springboks' victory in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship highlights the thriving future of South African rugby according to Saru chief Rian Oberholzer (pictured). Picture supplied The Junior Springboks' victory in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship shows that the game is thriving at every level in the country, according to SA Rugby Union (Saru) chief Rian Oberholzer. As the Springboks have won the last two Rugby World Cup titles, the fact that the junior side is following in their footsteps means the long-term future of the game is in good hands. It was also the first time in 13 years that an SA side has triumphed in the Under-20 showpiece event. Oberholzer said a lot of work went on behind the scenes which has led to the strong position of SA rugby.
Eyewitness News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Junior Boks win World Rugby U20 Championship: 'We're champions of the world.'
South Africa's Junior Springboks are world champions! South Africa ended a 13-year wait for a second World Rugby U20 Championship title after beating New Zealand 23-15 in the final of the 2025 edition in the Italian city of Rovigo on Saturday. It was the first meeting of the two nations in a final since the Junior Springboks' class of 2012. De Koning says the win is one for the history books...
The South African
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Three U20 stars destined to become Springboks
The Junior Springboks provided an encouraging indication that South African rugby remains in remarkable health as they powered to the U20 Championship title with a resounding win over New Zealand this past weekend. There were a host of highlights during the tournament, and although it's almost unfair to single out players when it was such a special team effort overall, there is no doubt that some individuals truly put up their hands to be recognised as stars for the future. Haashim Pead In recent years, the Springboks have impressively expanded their depth at scrumhalf, with no less than four No 9s travelling to the 2023 World Cup. What is now hugely exciting for the future is the emergence of Junior Springbok sensation Haashim Pead, who consistently set the U20 tournament alight. Boasting incredible pace, X factor and a strong kicking game, there is every reason to believe that the 20-year-old could receive a call up to the Springboks sooner rather than later. Bathobele Hlekani Now, hold the phone. If there is another player to get truly excited about, Hlekani stands quite literally heads and shoulders above the rest. Standing at 1.93 m tall (6 ft 4 in) and weighing in at around 115 kg, the Junior Springboks' blindside flank sometimes appeared like a man amongst boys as so many opponents felt the full force of his physicality. Despite his size, Hlekani also posseses plenty of pace, a strong step and good hands, and he undoubtedly has all the attributes to be the next big thing in South African rugby. Riley Norton Pure talent runs through the veins of the Junior Springboks' captain, who also represented South AFrica in the 2024 U19 Cricket World Cup. Having shifted his focus to rugby, the talented 19-year-old certainly caught the eye as a result of his excellent leadership and consistent on-field performances. The athletic lock is a tackling machine, as reflected by his tally of 24 in the final, and there is simply no doubt that a player with his personality and potential will be firmly on the radar of Rassie Erasmus. 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.
The South African
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
WATCH: Springboks sing, celebrate success of juniors
In another special moment for South Africa on Saturday, the Junior Springboks beat New Zealand 23-15 in the final in Italy to win the World Rugby U20 Championship for the first time in 13 years. It was the first meeting of the two nations in a final since the Junior Springboks' class of 2012, featuring the likes of future Rugby World Cup winners Handre Pollard, Steven Kitshoff and Pieter-Steph du Toit, ran out 22-16 winners in Cape Town. In a special twist of fate, the likes of Pollard and Du Toit were in the Springbok change room on Saturday night as they sat down to watch the Junior Springboks in the U20 final after claiming a good win over Georgia at the Mbombela Stadium. Clips have emerged of the Springbok team singing team songs, cheering and celebrating as they watched the juniors achieve success in the U20 final. Scorers: Junior Springboks 23 (13) – Tries: Xola Nyali, Gilermo Mentoe. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (2). Penalty goals: Moyo (3). New Zealand 15 (5) – Tries: Jayden Sa, Maloni Kunawave. Conversion: Will Cole. Penalty goal: Rico Simpson. 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.
The South African
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Junior Springboks united to conquer the world, says captain Norton
Captain Riley Norton led his Junior Springboks to a 23‑15 victory over New Zealand in the U20 World Championship final. The Junior Springboks became the third South African team to claim world champion status by outplaying New Zealand in the World Rugby U20 Championship Final in Rovigo on Saturday night. The Junior Springboks' tournament victory – their first since 2012 – came on a hot and humid night in Italy where they once again proved the masters of their southern hemisphere foes, beating the Kiwis for a seventh consecutive time in this tournament and the second time in a final, the same as in 2012, when the SA U20s outplayed NZ by 22-16. The SA U20s join the reigning Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks, and the Blitzboks at the top of the World Rugby competition podium. Speaking to the media after the game, Norton emphasised the team's combined work-rate and unity as the core drivers of their success in Rovigo. 'I'm quite emotional, but I'm just so proud,' said the Paul Roos old boy. 'The amount of work that we put in after not a great TRC, our backs were against the wall and we just came out and gave it everything. 'The group is unbelievable, the management, the coaches – we all pulled into a common idea. It wasn't easy at times, but ja, this is the greatest day of my life.' Norton highlighted traditional South African strengths – physicality in scrums, mauls, and defensive intensity – as decisive. He explained that 'our DNA' carried the game, sustaining energy and aggression for the full 80 minutes. 'We had to show up physically. That's our DNA. That's where we South Africans get our passion and our energy from. The set-phase, the maul, the scrum, the hits – the guys did that for 80 minutes and that's where we get our DNA from.' He lauded Junior Springboks flyhalf Vusi Moyo for his key penalties, saying Moyo's goal-kicking kept them ahead. Of course (Vusi) Moyo with his unbelievable boot always putting us on the front foot and kicking those penalties, it's just unbelievable.' Norton revealed the Junior Springboks' appreciation for fan support from home, citing messages, videos, and encouragement as vital inspirations. Asked whether the Junior Springboks felt any pressure being the top seed coming into the tournament, Norton said there were nerves but never really pressure. 'The amount of support we received from South Africa, videos from our mates, people sending us messages and just backing us was just unbelievable. I'm so proud to be South African and we couldn't have done it without our fans back at home cheering us on every step of the way.' Junior Springboks 23 (13) – Tries: Xola Nyali, Gilermo Mentoe. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (2). Penalty goals: Moyo (3). New Zealand 15 (5) – Tries: Jayden Sa, Maloni Kunawave. Conversion: Will Cole. Penalty goal: Rico Simpson. 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.
