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News24
2 days ago
- Sport
- News24
Baby Boks, Big Boks and Banyana - it's a good time to be a sports lover
The Junior Springboks celebrate their world title after beating New Zealand 23-15 in Rovigo. Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now
The Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
World champion Junior Boks displayed great tenacity — Foote
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote credited his team's renowned, trademark SA grit and fighting spirit for their victory over New Zealand in the World Rugby U20 Championship final in Italy on Saturday evening. SA U20 captain Riley Norton and the Junior Boks lifted the world crown on a humid evening in Rovigo, Italy, finishing the tournament unbeaten after a pulsating final against their fiercest rugby rivals. The hard-fought 23-15 win delivered SA's first U20 Championship title in 13 years, after their triumph over New Zealand in the 2012 final at a packed Newlands in Cape Town. Foote praised his team's defensive resolve and refusal to let the Kiwis back into the game, even when they were camped on the SA try line for long periods. 'Defence is all about character and there were moments when New Zealand were right on our line, but we held firm,' he said. 'From a coach's perspective, you can't ask for more than that. 'It was a real SA defensive effort and gees {spirit] that won it for us today.' Foote, who took over as Junior Bok head coach at the end of last year, also described his winning squad as a special group of young rugby players. 'I love our country and the Springboks, and I love working with this age group,' he said. 'To see these young men grow from training in December to what they have achieved now is amazing. 'Being on this journey with them has been incredibly special, and I'll never take it for granted.' Foote said he had always believed in his team, even when the New Zealanders were pushing hard to regain control. 'I looked at the players on the field and saw their body language — they were so present and in the moment. 'They had such a belief, and I'm incredibly proud of what they have achieved here in Italy.' Norton, who led from the front, said: 'The ball was so slippery, and your fundamentals had to be spot-on in these conditions, which was tough. 'There were a few handling errors due to the incredible humidity, and our jerseys were absolutely drenched in sweat, but I think we handled the conditions well. 'This win is for everyone who supported us back home.' The Junior Boks captain also credited their intense training in Stellenbosch for helping them adapt to the Italian summer heat. 'We actually adapted very well to the local conditions, even though it was winter when we left Stellenbosch,' he said. 'That's thanks to our conditioning and the fact that we are used to training in similar summer weather back home.' The Junior Springboks are expected to arrive back in SA on Monday morning. 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. — SA Rugby Communications
The Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Junior Boks break 13-year title drought in Italy
The Junior Springboks became the third South African team to claim world champion status by outplaying New Zealand 23-15 in the World Rugby U20 Championship Final in Rovigo on Saturday night. The SA U20s join the reigning Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks, and the Blitzboks at the top of the World Rugby competition podium. 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 class of 2025 won the final on the back of good defence, good discipline and scoring the crucial points when it mattered. They were leading 13-5 at the break and never took their foot off the pedal against a New Zealand team that fought until the end, but to no avail. The Junior Boks started in the best way possible with an early maul try by flanker Xola Nyali, converted by the trusted boot of Vusi Moyo and the 7-0 lead was good early value for money. New Zealand focused on a stack attack early on, something that worked well for them in their previous encounter against SA. But this time around, the Junior Boks' defence held out. A good cover tackle kept New Zealand from scoring from such an attack, but they could not keep out the team in black from a resulting line-out when lock Jayden Sa scored. New Zealand outfoxed their foes in the line-out and SA came around the front to score and cut the lead to two points. Vusi Moyo extended the lead to 10-5 soon after with a penalty goal and then New Zealand's prop Sika Pole was sent to the sin bin, with his high tackle upgraded to a 20-minute red card. The Junior Boks pressed hard to make the numerical advantage count, but Moyo missed a drop goal as SA looked to confirm their upper hand in general play. An injury to Nyali resulted in him being replaced by Stephanus Linde, but the pressure remained on New Zealand, who were guilty of forcing play to combat their absent defender. SA U20 centre Albe Bester was yellow carded for a dangerous ruck entry, but Moyo kicked another penalty when the Junior Blacks strayed offside to push the lead to 13-5 at the break. New Zealand started strongly in the second half, taking the ball through numerous phases and earning a penalty for their efforts. Flyhalf Rico Simpson kicked the points to cut SA's lead to 13-8 after 47 minutes. Moyo cancelled that out with another penalty goal that pushed the lead to 16-8. The Junior Boks were starting to dominate and a try by Haashim Pead seemed to seal the deal, but it was disallowed by the TMO. Moyo then missed a penalty attempt as well, but the South Africans were in control as the championship minutes came into play. They were held up over the try line and were dominating play, but with no scoreboard reflection. That changed three minutes from full-time, though, when Pead chipped to the corner, into the waiting arms of fullback Gilermo Mentoe. At 23-8, it was game over and though New Zealand scored a minute later, the win was secured and the bogey finally buried. 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. — World Rugby
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales eighth at U20 Championship after Italy loss
World Rugby Under-20 Championship Italy (15) 31 Tries: Casartelli 2, Zanandrea Cons: Braga 2 Pens: Braga 4 Wales (13) 23 Tries: Davies, Boshoff Cons: Ford, Wilde Pens: Ford 3 Wales finished eighth at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship after losing 31-23 to hosts Italy in their last game. Harri Ford and Francesco Braga exchanged early penalties at the Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo, before Wales scrum-half Sion Davies went over for a converted try. But two quick tries from Nelson Casartelli and Federico Zanandrea put Italy ahead, although Ford trimmed their lead to 15-13 at half-time with his second penalty. Casartelli crossed for his second try early in the second half, but despite having Dan Gemine in the sin bin, Wales managed to earn a penalty shot for Ford to keep Richard Whiffin's side in the game. Two more Braga penalties nudged Italy into a 28-16 lead with 11 minutes remaining, before Wales had Harry Thomas sin-binned and then Evan Minto sent off after receiving a second yellow for a no-arms tackle. Braga's fourth penalty stretched the lead further for Italy, who finished with 13 men on the pitch after late yellow cards for Giacomo Milano and Nicola Bolognini. Aidan Boshoff scored a late consolation try for Wales, converted by Harri Wilde, to give the scoreline a better look. Wales end the tournament having lost to Argentina and France prior to beating Spain in the pool stage. They were beaten by England in the fifth-eighth place play-off. Wales U20s suffer seven-try thumping by 14-man England Wales U20s fight back to claim Spain victory France overhaul Wales at U20 World Championship
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales eighth at U20 Championship after Italy loss
World Rugby Under-20 ChampionshipItaly (15) 31Tries: Casartelli 2, Zanandrea Cons: Braga 2 Pens: Braga 4Wales (13) 23Tries: Davies, Boshoff Cons: Ford, Wilde Pens: Ford 3 Wales finished eighth at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship after losing 31-23 to hosts Italy in their last Ford and Francesco Braga exchanged early penalties at the Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo, before Wales scrum-half Sion Davies went over for a converted two quick tries from Nelson Casartelli and Federico Zanandrea put Italy ahead, although Ford trimmed their lead to 15-13 at half-time with his second crossed for his second try early in the second half, but despite having Dan Gemine in the sin bin, Wales managed to earn a penalty shot for Ford to keep Richard Whiffin's side in the more Braga penalties nudged Italy into a 28-16 lead with 11 minutes remaining, before Wales had Harry Thomas sin-binned and then Evan Minto sent off after receiving a second yellow for a no-arms fourth penalty stretched the lead further for Italy, who finished with 13 men on the pitch after late yellow cards for Giacomo Milano and Nicola Boshoff scored a late consolation try for Wales, converted by Harri Wilde, to give the scoreline a better end the tournament having lost to Argentina and France prior to beating Spain in the pool stage. They were beaten by England in the fifth-eighth place play-off.
