READ: Junior Springboks Fall Short Against New Zealand but Show Promise, Says Coach Foote

In a thrilling encounter in Gqeberha, the Junior Springboks narrowly lost to New Zealand 48-45 in a high-scoring match. Despite leading 26-24 at halftime, South Africa couldn’t hold off a strong second-half performance from the Kiwis.

Head coach Kevin Foote expressed optimism about the team’s trajectory, emphasizing their commitment to a defined game model built on five key principles. He highlighted the squad’s ongoing development, noting that some players, including Riley Norton, only joined the group a few months ago. Foote praised the team’s character and leadership, stating that the lessons learned will be valuable for future competitions, particularly in June and July.

Foote credited backline coach Melusi Mthethwa for significant improvements in the team’s attack, which produced several standout tries during the tournament. He described the attacking play as exciting and well-supported by the enthusiastic crowd.

Looking ahead, Foote plans to send players back to their provincial unions to gain further experience in the SA Rugby U21 Cup. He believes the competition’s high standard and quality coaching will help maintain the players’ fitness and prepare them for the intensity of test match rugby.