Latest news with #U20RugbyChampionship
The South African
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Junior Bok squad named for World Champs in Italy
Junior Boks head coach Kevin Foote has included five players who will feature in their second World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy, with lock Riley Norton retained as captain for the tournament which will be staged from 29 June to 19 July. Five players are returning for a second consecutive U20 Championship campaign. These include Norton, Jaco Grobbelaar (lock), Bathobele Hlekani (utility forward), Herman Lubbe (prop), Wandile Mlaba (loose forward), and Haashim Pead (scrumhalf). Their experience will be crucial as the Junior Boks aim for a strong showing on the global stage. Among the new additions to the squad are Phiwayinkosi Kubheka (prop) and Ian van der Merwe (flyhalf), both of whom will make their U20 international debuts. Kubheka represented South Africa at U18 level in 2023, while Van der Merwe featured in the same age group last year. Stephanus Linde (No 8), Grobbelaar, and Jaco Williams (outside back) are also back in the squad after missing the recent U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha. Linde had toured with the Junior Boks to Georgia earlier in the year but was sidelined by injury. The squad includes six players who are still eligible for the U19 age group, which bodes well for future campaigns. These players are Kubheka, fellow prop Oliver Reid, hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele, Norton, flyhalf Vusi Moyo, and outside back Cheswill Jooste. Coach Foote acknowledged the difficulty of narrowing down the training squad of 37 players to the final 30. He praised the attitude and commitment shown by all players, especially those who have been part of the team since the SA U19 Academy Programme began last November in Stellenbosch. 'The boys have all been superb in their attitude and application,' said Foote. 'Most of this group has been together since last November during the SA U19 Academy Programme in Stellenbosch.' Foote also expressed gratitude to the schools and provincial unions for their contributions to the players' development, highlighting the importance of cooperation across all levels in preparing the squad through various training camps and the tour to Georgia. Foote recognized the disappointment for players who missed out on selection but reassured them that they remain on standby and could still be called up if necessary. 'It was an enormously difficult task to cut the squad to 30 players,' Foote added. 'We all feel for those guys who did not make the final selection. Thank you to them for their positive attitude, and they will remain on standby.' The Junior Springboks will continue their training in Stellenbosch before departing for Italy on 24 June. They will open their tournament against Australia on 29 June in Calvisano. Their remaining pool matches are against England (4 July in Rovigo) and Scotland (9 July, back in Calvisano). With a balanced blend of experienced players and exciting emerging talent, the Junior Boks are poised to compete strongly at the World Championship and lay the groundwork for future success. JUNIOR BOKS SQUAD FOR 2025 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Props: Jean Erasmus (Bulls), Phiwayinkosi 'Rambo' Kubheka (Sharks), Herman Lubbe (Western Province), Simphiwe Ngobese (Sharks), Oliver Reid (Western Province). Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Jaundré Schoeman (Bulls). Locks: Jaco Grobbelaar (Bulls), Riley Norton (captain, Western Province), JJ Theron (Bulls), Morné Venter (Lions). Loose forwards: Thando Biyela (Lions), Bathobele Hlekani (Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (Western Province), Xola Nyali (Western Province), Matt Romao (Sharks), Stephanus Linde (Cheetahs). Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Sharks), Haashim Pead (Lions), Erich Visser (Cheetahs). Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Ian van der Merwe (Bulls). Centres: Albie Bester (Sharks), Gino Cupido (Western Province), Demitre Erasmus (Bulls), Dominic Malgas (Western Province). Outside backs: Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), Gilermo Mentoe (Lions), Siya Ndlozi (Western Province), Jaco Williams (Sharks). South Africa's Pool A fixtures: Sunday, 29 June: Junior Boks vs Australia U20 – Stadio San Michele (Calvisano) Friday, 4 July: Junior Boks vs England U20 – Stadio Mario Battaglini (Rovigo) Wednesday, 9 July: Junior Boks vs Scotland U20 – June Stadio San Michele (Calvisano) Playoffs: Monday, 14 July: Semi-finals (Verona and Viadana) Saturday, 19 July: Final and ranking matches (Calvisano and Rovigo) WILL THE JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS CLINCH THE TITLE IN ITALY? 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 Citizen
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Riley Norton to lead Junior Boks at U20 Championship: Full squad
The team will face Australia, England and Scotland in pool play during the tournament in Italy, starting at the end of June. Junior Boks captain Riley Norton (lock), coach Kevin Foote, and loose forward Wandile Mlaba will be key figures for the SA U20 side at the World Rugby U20 Championship taking place in Italy from later this month. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images Lock Riley Norton has been retained as the Junior Springboks' captain for the World Rugby U20 Championship that will take place in Italy from June 29 to July 19. Norton also captained the team during the recent U20 Rugby Championship tournament, in South Africa, which also featured the junior sides of New Zealand, Australia and Argentina. Five players will feature at the tournament for a second time — lock Jaco Grobbelaar, utility forward Bathobele Hlekani, prop Herman Lubbe, loose forward Wandile Mlaba and scrumhalf Haashim Pead. Phiwayinkosi Kubheka (prop) and Ian van der Merwe (flyhalf) have not played for the SA U20s before, while Grobbelaar, Stephanus Linde (No 8) and Jaco Williams (outside back) are back in the squad after missing the recent U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha. Kubheka played for the SA U18s last year and Van der Merwe in 2023, while Linde toured with the Junior Boks in Georgia earlier this year before he picked up an injury which ruled him out of the Rugby Championship. Grobbelaar and Williams were involved with the United Rugby Championship squads with the Bulls and Sharks, respectively. 'Amazing effort' Furthermore, six players who are still U19 have been included in the squad, which bodes well for next season. They are Kubheka and his fellow prop Oliver Reid, Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker), Norton (lock), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), and Cheswill Jooste (outside back). According to Foote, the final selection process was a very difficult task and he and the coaching staff are very pleased with the final squad. 'The boys have all been superb in their attitude and application and most of the group have been together since November last year, when the SA Under-19 Academy Programme kicked off in Stellenbosch,' said Foote. 'I want to thank every player who has been part of the various training groups, for their amazing effort. The schools and provincial unions also deserve a huge amount of credit for the way in which they have prepared our players.' The squad will continue with their preparations in Stellenbosch until their departure to Italy on June 24. The Junior Boks open their campaign in Italy on June 29 against Australia in Calvisano, before they take on England on July 4 in Rovigo, and their final pool fixture is on July 9 against Scotland, also in Calvisano. Junior Springbok squad: Props: Jean Erasmus (Bulls), Phiwayinkosi 'Rambo' Kubheka (Sharks), Herman Lubbe (Western Province), Simphiwe Ngobese (Sharks), Oliver Reid (Western Province). Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Jaundré Schoeman (Bulls). Locks: Jaco Grobbelaar (Bulls), Riley Norton (capt, Western Province), JJ Theron (Bulls), Morné Venter (Lions). Loose forwards: Thando Biyela (Lions), Bathobele Hlekani (Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (Western Province), Xola Nyali (Western Province), Matt Romao (Sharks), Stephanus Linde (Cheetahs). Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Sharks), Haashim Pead (Lions), Erich Visser (Cheetahs). Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Ian van der Merwe (Bulls). Centres: Albie Bester (Sharks), Gino Cupido (Western Province), Demitre Erasmus (Bulls), Dominic Malgas (Western Province). Outside backs: Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), Gilermo Mentoe (Lions), Siya Ndlozi (Western Province), Jaco Williams (Sharks). South Africa's Pool A fixtures: Sunday, June 29: Junior Boks vs Australia U20 – Stadio San Michele (Calvisano) Friday, July 4: Junior Boks vs England U20 – Stadio Mario Battaglini (Rovigo) Wednesday, July 9: Junior Boks vs Scotland U20 – June Stadio San Michele (Calvisano)
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Plenty to work on for Junior Boks ahead of World Champs
The SA U20 team won just one match in the recent U20 Rugby Championship that also featured Australia, Argentina and New Zealand. Junior Springbok flyhalf Kyle Smith tries to evade the New Zealand defence during their high scoring U20 Rugby Championship clash at the at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Sunday. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images The Junior Springboks will need to buckle down over the next month and a half and get stuck into their various training regimes if they want to improve and ensure that they are a contender when the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship kicks off in Italy at the end of June. This after a disappointing showing in hosting the 2025 U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha over the past few weeks, where the Junior Boks won just one game out of three to finish third on the four-team log. The margins were tight, with the Junior Boks beating Argentina 36-25, before going down 29-25 to Australia and 48-45 to New Zealand, but the manner of the defeats should be slightly concerning to the coaching staff. Junior Bok head coach Kevin Foote claimed he was happy with his team's showing, that they can be proud of their performance, and that there are plenty of positives to take out of the competition. But whether he genuinely believes that, or is just backing his players despite them flopping on home soil, we don't really know. Top start Against Argentina the hosts trailed 25-15 early in the second half, before rallying with 21 unanswered points to start the tournament on a high. But they were brought heavily down to earth by the Aussies after leading 17-0 early in the second half. They allowed the visitors to score four tries in 23 minutes and 29 points in total, before a late try made the game seem closer than it was. Against New Zealand the Junior Boks led 19-0 early on and 26-24 at half-time, but the visitors were able to turn things around and see out the high-scoring game despite losing a player to a red card with 11 minutes remaining and another to a yellow with five minutes left. Arguably the big work-ons for the Junior Boks should be their set piece and defence, while their scrums and lineouts also need attention. Some players will be released to their unions to play in the SA Rugby U21 competition, while others will have their workloads managed, but an improved effort will be needed if they want to challenge the Northern Hemisphere junior sides who have dominated in recent years.
The Herald
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Junior All Blacks retain title after thrilling win over Boks
The All Blacks staged a stunning fightback to edge the Junior Boks 48-45 and successfully defend their U20 Rugby Championship title at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Sunday. After trailing 19-0 after 13 minutes, the Baby Blacks had to dig deep before they were able to subdue SA and send out a warning that they will be the team to beat at the Junior World Cup, which kicks off in Italy on June 29. The New Zealanders hung onto their slender lead with grim determination when they ended the game with 13 men after Caleb Woodley was red-carded and Randall Baker was shown yellow. The Boks threw everything they had at the All Blacks in the final moments, but they were unable to crack open New Zealand's brick wall defence. SA's hopes of lifting the title were dashed even before they started their game against New Zealand. Hopes of glory on home soil for the Junior Boks ended when Australia beat Argentina 40-36 in the early game of a double header. That result meant that even if the Boks had beaten New Zealand with a bonus point and drawn level with Australia on the log, the Junior Wallabies were still ahead on the table because they beat the Boks in a second-round fixture. Despite being out of the running before a ball had been kicked, the Boks drew on their resilience to produce a courageous performance. It had been billed as brutal warfare in the trenches, and the battle lived up to prematch hype in front of 15,000 fans. There were scenes of uncontained joy at the end when New Zealand coach Milton Haig joined his players on the field to lift the trophy in front of an appreciative crowd who were treated to an absorbing double header. SA made a perfect start when powerful centre Albie Bester crashed over the New Zealand try line in the second minute after a period of sustained pressure from the men in green and gold. The action was fast and furious in the opening minutes, and the Junior Boks had a second try when powerful prop Simphiwe Ngobese bulldozed his way over the New Zealand try line. New Zealand were reeling after 13 minutes when Bok hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele touched down after a driving maul to which SA put SA into a commanding 15-0 lead. The Baby Blacks hit back after SA's electrifying start when elusive wing Harlyn Saunoa somehow managed to squeeze over in the corner to reduce the deficit to 19-5. In a sudden momentum shift, the All Blacks were back in the fight when the dangerous Saunoa went over for his second try, which left the Boks with a 19-12 advantage. The try feast continued in the 29th minute when hard-running wing Gino Cupido crossed the Boks' fourth try. New Zealand hit back with tries from skipper Manumaua Letiu and a third five-pointer from Saunoa to leave the Boks with a slender 26-24 halftime lead. The All Blacks took the lead for the first time in the game when express pace wing Maloni Kunawave won a foot race to touch down and to put his side ahead 29-26 after 42 minutes. Clever play by Bok No 8 Wandile Mlaba resulted in SA's fifth try as the game continued at a frenetic pace. Kunawave put the All Blacks into a 48-38 lead after 19 minutes left when he scored an acrobatic try in the corner. Scorers: Junior Boks 45: Tries: Albie Bester, Simphiwe Ngobese, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Gino Cupido, Wandile Mlaba (2), Penalty Try. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (4). New Zealand 48: Tries: Harlyn Saunoa (3), Manumaua Letiu, Maloni Kunawave (2), Sika Pole, Stanley Solomon. Conversions: Will Cole (4). The Herald
The South African
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
New Zealand break Junior Springboks' hearts to defend U20 title
New Zealand held on to beat the Junior Springboks 48-45 in front of 14 835 spectators at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Sunday to retain the U20 Rugby Championship in dramatic fashion. Having to play with 13 players in the final minutes, the NZ team just managed to hold on as they overturned a fast Junior Springbok start to the match, with the home side scoring 19 unanswered points in the opening 15 minutes and leading 26-24 at the break. Fifteen tries – which included a penalty try – resulted in a high scoring match that was dominated by the home side in the first 20 minutes, before the defending champions took control, only to have their effort almost derailed with ill-discipline in the final 10 minutes. The South Africans will look back at this match as another one of missed opportunities and some weak defence in their outside channels being exploited by their opponents. The Junior Boks played with a strong wind in the first half and enjoyed a great start. The Kiwis tries to run the deep kick off back to their opponents, but were forced into touch 20m out. The SA U20s mauled well from the resulting lineout and then kept excellent exposure. Their attacks around the rucks sucked in defenders and after four minutes centre Albie Bester scored in the corner for the first points of the game. The conversion was wide, but the home side had their tails up early. Their second try, three minutes later, was even more impressive. A strong burst by Bester started some good momentum and a long-range attack from the Junior Boks. It was loosehead prop Simphiwe Ngobese who finally crashed over near the posts after some brilliant support play and good option taking by various ball carriers. Vusi Moyo converted for a 12-0 lead. Ten minutes into the game, the NZ side already were forced to make 37 tackles. Some ill-discipline around the breakdown seemed inevitable and twice New Zealand were pinged for such offences. The Junior Boks went for the driving maul twice and after the first one was dragged down illegally, the second was a thing of beauty with hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele at the back of the pack scoring their third try. Moyo's conversion was good and the lead 19-0 with 15 minutes of the match played. Credit to New Zealand though who recovered well to score a well-taken try of their own from the next restart. They forced the Junior Boks into conceding some penalties and also twice mauled for the line, but the South Africans kept them out. Keeping the ball alive through a number of phases, their patience was rewarded with a try by Harlyn Saunoa. The left wing's acrobatic finish despite two SA defenders trying to get him away from the corner flag had the spectators in black on their feet. The conversion was wide and the SA lead of 19-5 still well-deserved. Saunoa scored his second 26 minutes in, but he needed to fancy footwork for this one. In fact, some ball watching and a failed intercept effort by the Junior Bok outside backs left the winger will acres of real estate and he almost walked over for his try. The conversion by flyhalf Will Cole was good and suddenly the lead was only seven points. Stung by the two conceded tries, the Junior Boks struck back, again with a spectacular team try. Good interplay between backs and forwards and a great timed pass gave Gino Cupido just enough space to work his way to the line for a fourth South African try. Moyo kicked the conversion and the lead was back to 14 points (26-12) after 30 minutes. New Zealand kept on coming though and found some angles around the SA ruck defence less threatening, winning metres per carry at a time. The Junior Boks conceded a penalty trying to stem the flow and NZ kicked for the corner from where Manumaua Letiu was driven over by his pack. The NZ captain's try cut the lead to 26-17 with five minutes to go before the break. Saunoa got his third just before the break and again needed some stepping to score, but the Junior Boks will only have themselves to blame for this try. Attacking strongly a long looping pass was intercepted by New Zealand and although South Africa's scrambling defence kept their opponents at bay, it was just a matter of time before the original mistake would be punished. The conversion was good and suddenly, at the break, the lead was cut to only two points. An early New Zealand try in the second half gave them the lead for the first time. Maloni Kunawave reaped the rewards this time when he ran onto a good kick by centre Jack Wiseman. The conversion was good and suddenly the Junior Boks were trailing by four points. The Kiwis' sixth try came from a Wiseman intervention again, going around his opponent and that momentum resulted in a try to front-ranker Sika Pole. The kick was good and the score jumped to 38-26. Some luck came the home side's way after the restart though as Wandile Mlaba intercepted a loose pass near their own line, giving his team a lifeline, as they came back to a seven-point deficit (38-31). That did not last long though. Some around the back play by the NZ backs again shredded the rush defence by their opponents and Stanley Solomon finished a smooth move in the corner. That pushed the lead up 43-31 with 25 minutes to play. The Junior Boks came back into the game with a second Mlaba try. Some good attacking play of a lineout handed the NZ defence lots of homework and when play was switched to the blindside, the SA No 8 proved too powerful for the defenders in black. Moyo converted and 55 minutes in, it was a five-point game again. Kunawave's second try extended New Zealand's lead again, with the wing emulating Saunoa in the acrobatics stakes to dot down in the corner. Again, the SA defence would look at the replay with dismay as again they rushed a stack attack. The conversion was wide but at 48-38, SA needed to score next to remain in the contest. That job became a little bit easier when NZ flanker Caleb Woodley was red-carded 11 minutes from time after a head clash with Cheswill Jooste, but the home side could not take immediate advantage of the extra player. They did so five minutes from time when Kyle Smith dummied his way past a couple of defenders, but the try was disallowed for obstruction. South Africa had a penalty advantage though and they kicked to the corner. Their maul was pulled down by New Zealand and the referee had no option but to award SA a penalty try and send Randall Baker to the bin. New Zealand, now with 13 players, were defending a three-point lead with three minutes to play which they managed to do to secure a memorable win and another title. Earlier, Australia beat Argentina 40-36 to finish second in the championship. The Junior Springboks ended third, with Argentina winless in fourth. Junior Springboks Tries: Albie Bester, Simphiwe Ngobese, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Gino Cupido, Wandile Mlaba (2), Penalty try Conversions: Vusi Moyo (4) New Zealand Tries: Harlyn Saunoa (3), Manumaua Letiu, Maloni Kunawave (2), Sika Pole, Stanley Solomon Conversions: Will Cole (4) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
