Foote credits Junior Boks' resilience for special JWC victory

Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote paid tribute to his team's resilience, depth and unbreakable bond after South Africa were crowned Junior World Championship winners following a hard-fought victory over France in Tbilisi on Saturday evening.

The SA U20s defeated France 16-5 after leading 6-0 at the halfway mark of this enthralling championship decider to successfully defend the title they won last year in Italy.

The Junior Boks overcame fierce French resistance in a pulsating final to lift their second title in a row, with Foote describing the triumph as an incredible proud moment for the team and the country.

“It means everything to us; it means everything to South Africa,” said Foote after the final.

“South Africa is a very special place and we are very lucky to represent our people. Right now, we're just feeling incredibly grateful for the opportunity.”

The final was delayed by a lightning storm before kick-off, while France’s physical approach ensured the Junior Boks were pushed to the limit throughout the contest.

Foote credited his players for remaining calm under pressure and continuing to believe, even when momentum swung towards the French side.

“We knew France were big, physical and they just kept coming at us,” said the Junior Bok coach.

“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.”

Foote said the team's leadership and defensive effort were among the most pleasing aspects of the victory, while he also credited the replacements for making a great impact: “The starting players had absorbed so much pressure and the fresh legs brought energy at a crucial time. That's been a strength of this squad all season.

“France played with their usual flair and they were also big and physical, so we had to soak that up,” Foote said.

“But that’s the story of this team – they never give up and it means everything to us and our country. Rugby is in a very special place in South Africa now and we’re very lucky to represent them – to go back-to-back is very special so I’m very grateful.”

SA U20 captain Siphosethu Mnebelele, who was part of last year's successful campaign, said it was difficult to put into words what winning another world title meant.

“It feels seriously special,” said Mnebelele.

“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.

“We talk about giving love on defence, giving love on attack and doing it for the guy next to you and for the people back home in South Africa. That's what drove us throughout the tournament.”

Mnebelele also revealed how the squad remained focused during the lengthy weather delay before the match: “It was tough waiting because you prepare for a certain kick-off time and then suddenly you have to sit and wait. But 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.”

For Mnebele, that spirit was evident even from the sidelines during the closing stages of the final.

“All you want is for the team to do well and succeed,” he said. “I was incredibly nervous watching, but I was so happy the boys managed to get the result. Now we're going to celebrate together.”

The victory capped a remarkable campaign for the Junior Boks and secured South Africa a third U20 world crown following the success of 2012 and 2025. The Junior Boks will arrive back in the country on Monday morning.

A second-half brace by second-row Finn McLeod helped New Zealand claim third place with a 41-26 defeat of England in a repeat of the 2017 final at the same venue.

Scotland matched their best-ever finish of fifth at a Junior World Championship following a 28-21 victory over Wales, having to hang on with 13-men after two yellow cards to match their placing achieved when Georgia first hosted the tournament in 2017.

Australia finished on a high with a 52-29 defeat of Argentina, helped by two tries for hooker John Greenfell, to finish seventh, while Ireland edged another all-European affair to beat Italy 34-26 in Kutaisi for ninth place and Fiji finished 11th on their return to the Junior World Championship after beating hosts Georgia 30-10.

Friday's matches in Kutaisi saw history created, USA securing a first-ever Junior World Championship victory at the 15th attempt after scoring 39 unanswered points to beat Uruguay 39-15 before Japan defeated Spain 34-26 to finish 13th and win two matches in a tournament for the first time.

Score

Junior Springboks 16 (6) – Try: Markus Muller. Conversion: Yaqeen Ahmed. Penalties: Ahmed (3).

France U20 5 (0) – Try: Raphael Audebert.

Junior Boks’ results

27 June v Uruguay (SA won 104-7)

2 July v Georgia (SA won 33-5)

7 July v Wales (SA won 52-33)

Play-offs

13 July, Semi-final v England (SA won 53-37)

18 July: Final v France (SA won 16-5)

Junior Boks’ 2026 World Junior Championship squad

Props: Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Jooste (DHL Stormers), Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers), Luan van der Berg (Vodacom Bulls).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Jaythen Orange (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), JD Hattingh (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).

Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Vodacom Bulls), Risima Khosa (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Luke Cannon (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Wasi Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vuyo Gwiji (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Gert Kemp (DHL Stormers).

Utility forward: Thomas Beling (Vodacom Bulls).

Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Jayden Brits (DHL Stormers).

Flyhalf: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers).

Centres: Ethan Adams (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Stormers), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers).

Outside and utility backs: Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), Jack Benade (DHL Stormers), Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Stormers), Akahluwa Boqwana (Vodacom Bulls), Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).

Team management

Kevin Foote – Head coach

Lumumba Currie – Assistant coach

Melusi Mthethwa – Assistant coach

Barend Pieterse – Coaching consultant

Zingi Hela – Team manager

Dr Clement Plaatjies – Team doctor

Warren Adams – Head of athletic performance

Farhaanah Nagia – Physiotherapist

Robin Williams – Physiotherapist

Rayaan Adriaanse – Media and PR manager

Zwonaka Mbedzi – Technical analyst

Franklin van Wyk – Logistics manager