Riley Norton is demanding no let-up from the Junior Springboks when they close out the U20 Rugby Championship against New Zealand in Gqeberha on Saturday (4.10pm), despite having already secured the title with a round to spare.
The Baby Boks claimed the championship — their first — after back-to-back bonus-point wins over Argentina and Australia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the 56-17 demolition of the Junior Wallabies in round two opening an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.
New Zealand arrive at the finale stung by a 25-17 loss to Argentina in Sunday's second round, ending their title defence. Norton expects a wounded response.
"If you take your foot off the gas against a team like New Zealand, they will punish you," the skipper said. "You can never count them out because they are an unbelievable team."
Norton drew a direct line to last year's World Cup triumph, describing the prospect of lifting the U20 Championship trophy in front of a home crowd as equally significant. "Last year lifting the World Cup trophy after a 12-year wait was extremely special. I think this one in front of our home crowd will be equally as special on Saturday."
A crowd of around 10,000 attended the opening two rounds, and Norton cited that support as added motivation to finish strongly. "People have come out in big numbers and you don't want to disappoint them or ourselves in the final round."
Saturday's programme at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium: Argentina vs Australia (2pm), Junior Springboks vs New Zealand (4.10pm).