Kolisi inspires Junior Boks before U20 Rugby Championship opener

Riley Norton will lead the Junior Springboks in their 2026 Under-20 Rugby Championship opener against Argentina’s Los Pumitas on Monday, as they aim to make an immediate impact in front of their home crowd in Gqeberha.

In addition to delivering a motivational speech to the SA U20s, Siya Kolisi called on rugby supporters across the Eastern Cape to turn out in their numbers to support the tournament and the Junior Boks.

The clash between the Junior Boks and Los Pumitas kicks off at 4.10pm, following the tournament opener between New Zealand and Australia at 2pm. All three match days feature exciting double-header.

The Bok skipper, a double Rugby World Cup winner who hails from the Zwide township in Gqeberha, returned to South Africa following the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with Edinburgh in Scotland on Friday night, where he made his 50th appearance for the Durban-based franchise.

The talismanic loose forward shared personal insights with the SA U20 squad, recalling his own time as a Junior Bok. Growing up in Zwide township, Kolisi was spotted playing club rugby as a youngster and was then recruited to attend Grey High School.

His professional journey has taken him through the ranks of DHL Western Province and the Stormers, Racing-29 in France and the Sharks. Kolisi made his Springbok debut in 2013 and said that it was a significant privilege to present the match-day jerseys to Norton and his team.

“My journey with the national team started with the SA U18s and, at one time, I too sat in those chairs with the Junior Boks,” said Kolisi.

“Rugby is a fantastic platform to express yourself, so go out and enjoy the experience.

“I am from this area, so I will be there, along with many of my friends from Zwide. The Eastern Cape is a passionate rugby province, and we are all excited to host the tournament here for another year. We are looking forward to seeing you play and we wish you the best of luck for tomorrow against Argentina.”

Norton thanked Kolisi for his support: “It’s incredible that you played on Friday and were here by 10am on Sunday to present us with our jerseys. You and the Springboks are an inspiration to all of us and we hope to make you proud with our effort on Monday afternoon.”