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Daily Maverick
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Lessons learned: Junior Springboks eye redemption following narrow losses in Rugby Championship U20
The South Africa under-20 rugby side have failed at the annual southern hemisphere tournament again, this time on home soil. The Junior Springboks' tightly contested and highly entertaining 48-45 loss to the Baby Blacks on Sunday means they ended the Rugby Championship U20 in third place, behind Champions New Zealand and Australia. It's the second consecutive loss the Junior Boks suffered, having lost 29-24 to the Junior Wallabies five days earlier. In the opening round they had to come from behind to beat Argentina 36-25 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, where all the matches in the competition took place. Last year the Junior Boks finished second, when the inaugural tournament was held in the Sunshine Coast in Australia. They were also beaten by Australia then while drawing with New Zealand and beating Argentina. Both of South Africa's defeats this year came after initially opening up a substantial lead and then allowing the Australasian sides back into the contest. Against Australia, the Junior Boks held a 17-0 lead shortly after halftime before the Junior Wallabies clawed their way back. Similarly, South Africa scored three tries in the first 15 minutes to take a 19-0 lead against New Zealand only to see the deficit reduced to two points by halftime as the home team led 26-24. While the Junior Springboks' results have disappointed home supporters who have seen this edition of the team run out for the first time over the past two weeks, head coach Kevin Foote has said the Rugby Championship U20 was just part of the journey. The destination is the Under-20 World Championship, which gets under way at the end of June in Italy. 'There are a lot of positives to take from that performance,' Foote said. 'We are on a massive journey together and I only met (captain) Riley Norton and the guys back in November, so we are definitely working hard on our game model and principles, which everyone understands now. 'From a character and leadership perspective, we are in a good place, and the lessons we learnt will be of huge benefit as we approach the U20 Championship next month in Italy.' High scoring The Junior Springboks were entertaining with ball in hand, scoring 14 tries across the three matches with Foote crediting young attack coach Melusi Mthethwa. South Africa's set piece got better as the tournament went on, but soft shoulders in defence let in more points than scored. 'I think Melusi [Mthethwa] has done a great job in terms of our attack, and I really feel that the players have clarity on how we want to play,' Foote said. 'We played some exciting and brilliant attacking rugby during the tournament, and just to hear the crowd get behind us when we started to light it up was exceptional. 'We know we are not the finished product, and we know we have a lot of work to do, but I do think our attack has come a long way and the guys are loving the way we are attacking.' Enforcer lock and captain of the junior side Riley Norton, like Foote, sees the tournament as a stepping-stone for the Under-20 World Championships. 'To have played these high-pressure games against such quality opposition before the World Champs is going to be vital for us,' he said. 'The lessons we learnt, the connections and relationships we have managed to build, not only on the field but off-field as well, and the trust we managed to create, are extremely important to us.' In order to ensure the players remain sharp and in top condition in the 50 days before the World Championship kicks off, Foote will be sending a number of players back to their unions to play in the ongoing Under-21 Cup competition. 'We will take it case by case, but some players will go back to their provinces to play in the U21 competition,' he said. 'It's a strong competition and the players are well coached there, and we are keen for them to keep going. There will be some whose load we will have to manage, but we will do our medicals and take it case by case.' The last time South Africa won the Junior World Championship was more than a decade ago in 2014, and they have only made the final four twice in the 11 years since. Last year, a strong Junior Boks side finished fifth overall. With a new coaching structure this year and the second year of the Under-20 Rugby Championship, more is expected from the national junior side. DM
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Junior Boks aim to gain from U20 Rugby Championship pain
Head coach Kevin Foote and skipper Riley Norton say the Junior Springboks can take key lessons from a tough home tournament for the U20 World Championship next month. The South Africans fell short in their bid to capture The U20 Rugby Championship in the republic when they lost 48-45 to New Zealand at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha yesterday. The hosts beat Argentina in fine style their opener, before going down to Australia and New Zealand. But Foote said the players can take huge positives from their courageous effort against the young Kiwis. 'There are a lot of positives to take from that performance; we are on a massive journey together and I've only met Riley Norton and the guys back in November, so we are definitely working hard on our game model and principles which everyone understands now,' he told reporters post-match. 'From a character and leadership perspective, we are in a good place, and the lessons we learnt will be of huge benefit as we approach the U20 Championship next month in Italy. 'I think Melusi (Mthethwa, the team's backline coach) has done a great job in terms of our attack and I really feel that the players have clarity on how we want to play,' Foote added. 'We played some exciting and brilliant attacking rugby during the tournament and just to hear the crowd get behind us when we started to light it up was exceptional. 'We know we are not the finished product, and we know we have a lot of work to do, but I do think our attack has come a long way and the guys are loving the way we are attacking.' Foote said the SA U20 coaching staff are keen to send some players back to their provincial unions to play in the SA Rugby U21 Cup competition: 'We will take it case by case, but some players will go back to their provinces to play in the U21 competition. 'It's a strong competition and the players are well-coached there, and we are keen for them to keep going. There will be some whose load we will have to manage, but we will do our medicals and take it case by case.' Norton, who started all three of the Junior Boks' games of the competition, praised the players' efforts, on and off the field. 'To have played these high-pressure games against such quality opposition before the World Champs is going to be vital for us,' he said. 'The lessons we learnt, the connections and relationships we have managed to build, not only on the field but off-field as well, and the trust we managed to create, are extremely important to us.' The post Junior Boks aim to gain from U20 Champs pain appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
News24
11-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
Junior Boks fall agonisingly short in epic NZ clash
The Junior Springboks narrowly lost to New Zealand 48-45 in a thrilling Under-20 Rugby Championship finale. Coach Kevin Foote praised his team's attack, character, and progress, calling the game a positive learning experience. The team remains focused on improving ahead of the U20 World Championship in Italy. The Junior Springboks fell short in their bid to capture the Under-20 Rugby Championship when they lost to New Zealand in Gqeberha on Sunday, but SA U20 head coach Kevin Foote said the players can take huge positives from their courageous effort against the young Kiwis. New Zealand held on to beat the Junior Springboks 48-45 in front of close to 15 000 spectators at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to retain the title in dramatic fashion, after South Africa led 26-24 at the break. Speaking to the media afterwards, Foote said his players can be proud of their effort, although they just fell short in a brilliant, high-scoring, and hugely entertaining match. 'There are a lot of positives to take from that performance; we are on a massive journey together and I've only met Riley Norton and the guys back in November, so we are definitely working hard on our game model and principles which everyone understands now,' said Foote. 'From a character and leadership perspective, we are in in a good place, and the lessons we learnt will be of huge benefit as we approach the World Rugby U20 Championship next month in Italy.' The South Africans played their part in a breathtaking attacking game, which delivered more than 90 points and went down to the wire, with New Zealand under huge pressure and playing with 13 men at the end. 'I think Melusi (Mthethwa, the team's backline coach) has done a great job in terms of our attack and I really feel that the players have clarity on how we want to play,' said Foote. 'We played some exciting and brilliant attacking rugby during the tournament and just to hear the crowd get behind us when we started to light it up was exceptional. 'We know we are not the finished product, and we know we have a lot of work to do, but I do think our attack has come a long way and the guys are loving the way we are attacking.'
The Citizen
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
New Zealand edge Junior Boks in thrilling U20 Rugby Championship game
Defence went out the window as both teams focused on playing the most attacking rugby they could. South Africa and New Zealand's U20 teams put on a show of attacking rugby in their match in Gqeberha on Sunday. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images The Junior All Blacks beat the young Springboks 48-45 in a thrilling final match of the 2025 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha on Sunday to retain the title they won in the inaugural competition last year. In total, 15 tries were scored in a match that will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it. New Zealand went unbeaten in the competition. They drew with Australia and also beat Argentina, while South Africa opened with a win against Argentina, but then lost to Australia and New Zealand. Riley Norton's Junior Boks raced into an almost unbelievable 19-0 lead after just 13 minutes thanks to tries by centre Albie Bester, prop Simphiwe Ngobese and hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele. The Boks were well on top and in charge, but the 'Baby All Blacks' showed tremendous composure to fight back in style with two tries of their own in the space of eight minutes midway through the half. Both were scored by Harlyn Saunoa. But the ding-dong battle was just getting going. South Africa's left wing Gino Cupido crossed for his team's fourth try in the 28th minute before the men from New Zealand again scored two tries in quick succession, through captain and hooker Manumaua Letiu and Saunoa, his third in the first half. After a thrilling first half, just two points separated the teams at the break. More second half thrills And the action continued unabated after the resumption, with the Junior All Blacks scoring a further two tries to rock the hosts. Wandile Mlaba, the Junior Boks' No 8, though pulled one back for the South Africans, but before the home team could do any celebrating, the New Zealanders scored again, their seventh try, to go 43-31 up. Mlaba was at it again though a few minutes later, getting his second and his team's sixth try of the game in the 57th minute. Just five points separated the teams going into the final quarter. Right wing Maloni Kunawave then scored his second try of the game, diving in spectacularly in the corner; the Junior All Blacks going 48-38 up. But with five minutes to go, the Junior Boks were awarded a penalty try for New Zealand collapsing a driving maul, with a player also sent to the sin-bin. Just a few minutes earlier the Junior All Blacks had also lost a man to a red card for a dangerous tackle, so they were down to 13 for the final few minutes. Earlier Sunday, Australia beat Argentina 40-36.
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Meet Riley Norton: Junior Boks captain and fast bowler for SA U19 cricket team
The former SA U19 cricket player said he realised in matric that he 'loved rugby just a bit more'. If you thought you'd heard the name Riley Norton before this year's U20 Rugby Championship taking place in Gqeberha, you'd be right. You see, the Junior Springboks' lock and captain isn't only a hot shot rugby player; he's also an excellent cricketer, who last year featured for the South African U19 team at the junior cricket World Cup. The tall lock forward is an aggressive fast bowler who can also hit a long ball down the order. Norton was head boy at Paul Roos Gymnasium and also represented Western Province in rugby and cricket. He is currently studying for a BCom Investment Management degree at the University of Stellenbosch. SA Schools rugby and cricket According to Norton is only the third sportsman in the past decade to do the double of SA Schools rugby and cricket. He follows in the footsteps of people like Herschelle Gibbs, Conrad Jantjes, Ruan de Swardt, and Christopher Schreuder. Gibbs went on to play for the Proteas and Jantjes for the Springboks, while all-rounder De Swardt has played for the Proteas. In total, 15 school athletes have accomplished the remarkable feat – 11 of them before 2000. Riley Norton in action during the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa last year. Picture: Michael Steele-ICC/ICC via Getty Images Last year, while doing his matric, Norton had to make the tough choice – pick between playing rugby or cricket at a higher level. He chose rugby. 'It was tough because cricket has done a lot for me and taught me a great deal,' he told Maties Sport earlier this year. 'My dad (Chris, who also played for Maties for 12 years) told me to do what I loved and during matric I realised that I loved rugby just a bit more … the unbeatable camaraderie, the inspiration of the Springboks – and Maties Rugby!' He continued: 'For me it equips you with skills and habits to succeed off the field: commitment to a goal, work ethic, courage. And it also teaches you how to live outside of your own bubble. There is so much diversity in rugby that comes together for a common goal. Nothing unites more than sport, particularly rugby.' 'Pieter-Steph du Toit is very inspirational' It is no surprise that Norton's all-time rugby hero is two-time World Cup winner and one of the very greats of Springbok rugby, Pieter-Steph du Toit. 'World Player of the Year twice, who consistently gave 110 percent. His father donated a tendon to enable him to carry on. Very inspirational,' said the 1.97m, 101kg lock. While young Kwena Maphaka hogged the headlines at last year's U19 Cricket World Cup, with 21 wickets in six matches, Norton finished the tournament with the second most number of wickets for his team. He picked up 11 wickets in five matches to be 11th overall on the wicket-takers' list. Cricket's loss is certainly rugby's gain. Norton is expected to again lead the Junior Springboks when they play their third and final match of the U20 Rugby Championship against New Zealand in Gqeberha on Sunday. So far the 'Baby Boks' have beaten Argentina and lost to Australia. Their match on Sunday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is at 4.10pm.
