“FROM a coach’s perspective, you can’t ask for more than that. It was a real South African defensive effort and gees (spirit) that won it for us today (Saturday).”
Those are the words of Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote, whose boys won the World Rugby U20 Championship final in Italy on Saturday evening, against nemesis New Zealand, 23-15, in Italy.
Taking a leaf from their senior brothers Boks who won their Saturdays game 55-10 against Georgia at the packed Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit.
This was Junior Boks first U20 Championship title in 13 years, following their triumph over New Zealand in the 2012 final in Cape Town.
The team since the beginning of the WC haven’t lost any of their games, thanks to team’s renowned, trademark South African grit and fighting spirit.
“Defence is all about character, and there were moments when New Zealand were right on our line, but we held firm,” said coach Kevin Foote, who took the coaching reigns at the end of last year.
He 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,” said the joyous coach.
“To see these young men grow from training in December to what they’ve achieved now is amazing. Being on this journey with them has been incredibly special, and I’ll never take it for granted.”
Foote added that he 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 belief, and I’m incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved here in Italy.”
Speaking after the final whistle, 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 tryline for long periods of time.
Junior Boks captain Riley 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 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,” said Norton. “That’s thanks to our conditioning and the fact that we’re used to training in similar summer weather back home.”
The team will land back home on Monday morning, at OR Tambo Int’l Airport.
Hearty congrats to the ‘Jong spanne’ for making our country proud!
Meanwhile, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus also sent his message of congratulations to the Junior Boks.
WC Champs, who completed their July series with a nine try win against Georgia at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, says he would revert to a more settled squad for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.
In the three matches since the opener against the invitational team in Cape Town, the Bok selectors made 10, 15 and 16 personnel changes in successive weeks.
“We’re fairly happy if you look over the four games,” said Erasmus.
“We scored close to 50 points in each match and apart from the first Italy test defended pretty well.
“Georgia were physical and disruptive but that’s not an excuse for us making so many errors, but I guess we must understand that if we chop and change teams like we have as we’re building squad depth, you’ll lose rhythm.
“We found that again in the last 20 minutes and we can be fairly happy with the scoreline although one can always do better.”
The team will have a three-week break before the opening of Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against Australia on August 16, at Emirates Park Stadium.
Image (Another gold for SA. Junior Boks holding aloft the RWC silverware cup in Italy, after beating NZ on Saturday 23-15).
