South Africa are Junior World Championship winners for the third time after defeating France 16-5 in the final in Tbilisi on Saturday, successfully defending the title won in Italy last year and adding to the country's 2012 triumph.
The Junior Boks led 6-0 at half-time before holding off a determined French side to secure a second consecutive world crown. The match was delayed before kick-off by a lightning storm, and France's physicality kept South Africa under sustained pressure throughout.
Coach Kevin Foote pointed to defensive resolve and the impact of the replacements as decisive factors. "The starting players had absorbed so much pressure and the fresh legs brought energy at a crucial time," he said. "That's been a strength of this squad all season."
Foote acknowledged France's threat but said the team never wavered in their belief. "We knew France were big, physical and they just kept coming at us. We had to soak up a lot of pressure, but the story of this team has been that they never give up. We always felt that if we got our opportunity, we'd take it."
Captain Siphosethu Mnebelele, who was part of last year's winning squad, described the achievement in the context of a group that built its own identity. "This was a completely different team, different connections and a different journey. One thing about this team is that we just keep grinding it out because of the care we have for each other."
Mnebelele said the squad navigated the pre-match weather delay without losing focus. "This group is very adaptable. We made sure we stayed switched on, kept our energy up and remained focused on the job we had to do."
The Junior Boks are due back in South Africa on Monday.