Winning the World Rugby Junior World Championship for the first time in 13 years will not be enough for South Africa. They want more and, at this year’s tournament in Georgia, there is a steely determination to retain their crown for the first time.
The Junior Springboks beat New Zealand 23-15 to win the 2025 final in Italy and become champions again following their only previous title success in 2012.
They had finished runners-up once and third six times in the intervening years, so to finally lift the trophy again was an achievement to savour for Kevin Foote’s side.
South Africa captain Riley Norton called the victory over New Zealand “the greatest day of my life” and head coach Foote is now plotting his team’s title defence.
“To win the World Rugby Junior World Championship is very tough,” said 47-year-old Foote. “Doing it for the first time since 2012 was a big step in the right direction and showed how much respect this competition demands.
“What would it mean to retain our title? It would be huge because no South African team has ever gone back-to-back in this tournament.
“In South Africa, rugby connects communities, cultures and generations. When times are tough in our country, for whatever reason, rugby gives people hope.
Healthy competition
“It definitely aligns us to a much bigger purpose, so it’s not just a game for us. It’s really something that unites us as people and we know that it’s special, so we use it as motivation.”
South Africa have been pitted in Pool A with hosts Georgia, Wales and Uruguay as part of an expanded tournament from 12 to 16 teams.
“Our pool is tough and we must win it to progress to the semi-finals and final, but that’s really healthy," admitted Foote.
“Georgia are hosting the tournament and we played there earlier this year, so we know how passionate they are with their physicality and vociferous support.
“Wales start games really fast and play a good brand of football, but all we’re focused on right now is that opening game against Uruguay. I expect them to be very physical and play a South American, confrontational set-piece style.”
Foote, who represented South Africa in sevens on the world series from 2002-04, was appointed to his current role almost two years ago.
He is thriving in the role of nurturing his homeland’s finest young talent and developing them into potential future Springboks.
Future Springboks
Foote’s squad is dripping with talent in every department and still bubbling from their U20 Rugby Championship title success in early May.
Ten members of the group were included in the wider Springbok group for the Barbarians fixture and the South Africa A match against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha on 20 June.
Norton (second-row), Oliver Reid, Rambo Kubheka (props), Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker), Vusi Moyo (fly-half), Cheswill Jooste (wing), and Alzeadon Felix (full-back) were all part of the Junior Springbok side that won last year's title in Italy.
“The turnaround from juniors to seniors is not huge and we want to make sure that our guys want to go on and become Springboks,” explained Foote.
“A good number of them have been training with the Springboks so the Junior World Championship is so special because it gives guys exposure to whether they can step up to the next level.
“There are a lot of guys in our squad who have come through the system and played U18s.
“Our centre Markus Muller, for example, has huge potential and is a good man as well. He’s really special and a good leader – he captained the U18 team last year and recently became the youngest-ever Stormers player.
Development and performance
“Zekhethelo Siyaya, our full-back, also made his senior debut for the Sharks while he was still at school. He’s played two or three URC games as well, so this year’s backline in particular is very talented.
“The development of all our players is probably credit to the schoolboy system in South Africa, which has really taken a massive step forward.
“The games are on TV every week, there is really good coaching, strength and conditioning and athletic programmes, so we get an enormous amount of talent coming through.
“It’s about getting the culture and environment right for these youngsters and exposing them to game-time together.
“I’m often asked by the media ‘is the Junior Springboks about performance or development?’ I always say it’s about both because we all want to perform well and to achieve things but at the same time they’re 18 or 19-year-old men.
“We’re developing them and whether it’s to become good Springboks or successful in life, we’re a development programme as much as we are a performance programme.”
Loving my job
Foote, the former Perth Spirit, UCT Ikey Tigers and Melbourne Rebels coach, is passionate about developing young talent during what is a golden era for South African rugby at senior level.
Rassie Erasmus’ side will bid to win a third successive Men's Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.
Foote declared: “Rassie is signed on until 2031 and we want to make sure that we support him by developing this next group coming through.
“The big thing about World Cups is having the depth of talent but also an alignment in culture and belief. Our job is to ensure that there is a constant conveyor belt of talented young players coming through to represent the country.
“South Africa is in this golden generation at the moment where they have done pretty well, so to be working with the Junior Springboks, developing really good young men, is fantastic for me.
“I love rugby and I love South Africa, so I honestly couldn’t tell you how grateful I am to be in my job and how much I love it.”
Watch the World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026 on RugbyPass TV or your local rights-holding broadcaster. Click here to find your local broadcaster.
