The Junior Springboks returned to South African soil as conquering heroes on Monday, greeted by euphoric fans and SA Rugby top brass after ending a torturous 13-year title drought with a masterful 23-15 triumph over New Zealand’s Junior All Blacks in Italy on Saturday.
Under the astute guidance of head coach Kevin Foot, the Baby Boks delivered when it mattered most, outmuscling their fierce rivals in the scorching summer heat of Rovigo to reclaim the World Rugby U20 Championships crown that had eluded them since their last victory on home soil in Cape Town back in 2012.
Welded into champions
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander couldn’t contain his pride as he welcomed the victorious squad home, declaring it “a very proud day for rugby in South Africa.”
“Kevin and the team delivered an outstanding performance throughout the tournament,” Alexander beamed. “This group has been welded into a formidable unit over the course of this year, and many of them have the potential to go on to higher honours.”
The triumph represents a complete vindication of the decision to appoint Foot, whose franchise experience proved invaluable in molding this talented group into world champions.
Dominant path to glory
The Junior Boks’ route to the final was nothing short of spectacular. They demolished Australia 73-12, overpowered England 32-22, and crushed Scotland 73-14 in pool play before dismantling Argentina 48-24 in a semifinal masterclass.
In Saturday’s showpiece final, South Africa seized control from the third minute and never looked back. Wing wizard Xola Nyali and powerhouse Gilermo Mentoe crossed the whitewash, while boot magician Vusi Moyo contributed a crucial 13 points to seal a famous victory.
Tournament stars shine
Moyo finished as the tournament’s leading points scorer with 63, while speedster Haashim Pead terrorised defenses throughout, crossing for six tries to finish second only to Georgia’s Mikheili Shioshvili (7) in the try-scoring charts.
The victory is a testament to the grassroots development work happening across South African rugby, from high school level through to the provincial unions that nurtured these future stars.
“This victory is a tribute to all the hard work done at high school level by educators and coaches, and at our provincial unions,” Alexander said, also thanking the sponsors who backed the Junior Boks’ championship campaign.
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