Kevin Foote has named a virtually unchanged squad for Saturday's U20 Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand in Gqeberha, with Risima Khosa the sole replacement-bench swap for Gert Kemp. The Junior Boks sit top of the standings on 10 points and need just a single log point to win the title for the first time. Rugby365 predicts a 12-point South Africa win. New Zealand's lineup includes Mika Muliaina at flyhalf, with Charlie Sinton at scrumhalf and Patrick Mauga at number eight.
One change, one point needed: Junior Boks go for history against NZ
The Junior Boks need only a point from Saturday's U20 Championship decider against New Zealand to claim a first-ever title, and Foote has named an almost identical squad to the one that beat Australia — full teams and a Rugby365 prediction included.
Junior Boks open U20 Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina in Gqeberha on Monday
The Junior Springboks open their U20 Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday (4.10pm), with coach Kevin Foote prioritising fitness and ball-in-play tempo after lessons learnt from last year's tournament on the same ground. New Zealand face Australia in the day's first match at 2pm, with all three rounds of the four-nation competition again hosted in Gqeberha.
Norton calls for full throttle finish as Junior Boks face New Zealand in title-clinching finale
Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton has called for a focused performance against New Zealand in Saturday's U20 Rugby Championship finale in Gqeberha, with the title already secured but the skipper wary of a backlash from a Baby Blacks side knocked out of title contention by Argentina.
Junior Boks to host Georgia, Fiji and Chile in Cape Town International Series ahead of World Championship defence
The Junior Springboks will host Georgia, Fiji, and Chile in a three-match-day U20 International Series at City Park in Cape Town from 21 to 31 May. Coach Kevin Foote will use the series to give his full wider squad game time and sharpen combinations before the Junior World Championship defence in Georgia at the end of June. South Africa and Georgia are in the same JWC pool, lending added significance to the 31 May fixture.
Junior Boks need bonus point to seal U20 Championship after premature crowning
The Junior Springboks need a bonus point against New Zealand on Saturday to clinch the U20 Rugby Championship title, after a rules miscommunication led to SA Rugby prematurely declaring them champions. South Africa lead the standings on 10 points, five clear of both New Zealand and Argentina.
Junior Boks target high-tempo game against dangerous Australia side
Norton and Currie are flagging a high-tempo, attack-first approach against an Australian side they respect — and for good reason, given the Junior Wallabies' recent record against SA.