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.
Norton: NZ clash no dead rubber as Junior Boks chase clean sweep
Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton insists Saturday's U20 Rugby Championship finale against New Zealand is no dead rubber, with breakdown improvement the key focus as the log-leading Baby Boks chase a clean sweep at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
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.
Moyo and Foote flag concentration lapses despite 82–25 demolition of Fiji
Vusi Moyo's 22-point haul helped the Junior Springboks beat Fiji 82–25 in Cape Town, but both the captain and coach Kevin Foote identified a late concentration lapse as an area to address ahead of Saturday's U20 International Series match against Georgia in Stellenbosch.
Junior Boks claim U20 Rugby Championship title after thrilling 29-29 draw with New Zealand
South Africa's Junior Springboks claimed the U20 Rugby Championship title after drawing 29-29 with New Zealand in Gqeberha, finishing the tournament unbeaten on 13 points. Coach Kevin Foote praised the side's resilience and growth while identifying breakdown efficiency as an area for improvement.
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.