Despite heavy rainfall and challenging conditions in Gqeberha this week, the Junior Springboks remain firmly focused on their final U20 Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, 9 May, with the South Africans aiming to dethrone the defending champions and claim the title for the first time.
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has retained faith in the side that defeated Australia, making only one change to the matchday squad. Loose forward Risima Khosa returns to the bench in place of Gert Kemp in an otherwise unchanged squad.
South Africa head into the decisive encounter on top of the standings with 10 points and need only one log point against New Zealand to secure the championship crown.
Speaking during today’s media conference, Foote said the team had not allowed the wet weather in the Eastern Cape to disrupt preparations ahead of the highly anticipated clash against their traditional rivals.
“We actually trained yesterday. We went out in the rain,” said Foote. “We just want to play in any conditions and control what we can.”
Although persistent rain has affected parts of Gqeberha this week, Foote said the squad remained committed to their attacking style of play.
“We’re not too concerned about the weather for now. We’re just going to go out there and play the style of rugby that we want to play and control the things that we can,” he added.
Foote described New Zealand as South Africa’s “greatest rivals” and expected a physical contest despite the Junior All Blacks’ recent defeat to Argentina.
“For us in rugby, it doesn’t get better than South Africa versus New Zealand,” he said. “They are our greatest rivals and the opportunity to play them in front of the Gqeberha crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a privilege.”
He added that New Zealand would arrive highly motivated following their setback earlier in the tournament.
“New Zealand is a very proud rugby nation, and I know what the All Black jersey means to them. So we expect a lot of fire in the contact,” said Foote.
Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton also highlighted the importance of the home support, with more than 20,000 spectators having attended the opening two rounds of the tournament.
“Running out at home and hearing the support and singing the national anthem with local fans means the world to us,” Norton said. “People love their sport and they come out in numbers; whether good, whether bad, they’re always there supporting.”
Norton said the squad had benefited greatly from increased game time and continuity ahead of the upcoming U20 World Cup, adding that the players remained focused on constant improvement rather than the pressure of lifting the trophy.
“We just want to carry on improving each week, each game, each day that we are training,” he said.
Foote echoed those sentiments, saying the Junior Boks’ focus extended beyond silverware.
“Our objective on Saturday is about more than just the trophy, it’s about our growth and continuing the journey we’ve started with this group,” he said.
Kick-off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is set for 16:10. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.
ALSO READ: Junior Boks lean on depth, physical edge ahead of Argentina clash
Junior Springbok team to face New Zealand in Gqeberha:
15 Akahluwa Boqwana
14 Jack Benade
13 Samuel Badenhorst
12 Ethan Adams
11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga
10 Yaqeen Ahmed
9 Hendré Schoeman
8 Kebotile Maake
7 Wasi Vyambwera
6 Luke Canon
5 Riley Norton (captain)
4 Heinrich Theron
3 Danie Kruger
2 Liam van Wyk
1 Rambo Kubheka
Replacements
16 Mahle Sithole
17 Oliver Reid
18 Luan van der Berg
19 JD Hattingh
20 Risima Khosa
21 Jayden Brits
22 Vusi Moyo
23 Jade Muller
