Assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa says “it doesn’t get bigger” than Saturday’s winner-takes-all U20 Rugby Championship finale between the Junior Springboks and New Zealand.
Kevin Foote’s youngsters will look to wrap up the title when they face fierce rivals at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Speaking ahead of the clash, which will go a long way to determining the championship winner, Mthethwa said: “It doesn’t get bigger than this.
“With both teams in contention to win the tournament, it adds a massive extra dimension to the occasion.”
READ: Junior Boks’ title job not done yet
South Africa thrashed Australia 56-17 last week for their second win in two games, sparking reports that the hosts had wrapped up the age-group title with a match to spare.
However, the correct use of the bonus point system has seen the championship go down to the final day of the competition, with both New Zealand and Argentina still in a position to snatch the title.
South Africa top the standings on 10 points after two bonus-point wins, followed by New Zealand and Argentina on five each. Australia has two log points.
Australia and Argentina clash in Saturday’s opening encounter at 2pm, followed by the Junior Boks and New Zealand at 4:10pm.
“The rivalry between our two countries is legendary,” Mthethwa added. “We have immense respect for them, and Saturday offers our players the incredible opportunity to face the haka and test themselves against our greatest rugby rivals.
“We are well aware of the quality New Zealand brings,” he said. “For us, the mission is to meet that challenge head-on and rise to the occasion.”
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
The post Junior Boks geed up for ‘greatest’ test appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa says “it doesn’t get bigger” than Saturday’s winner-takes-all U20 Rugby Championship finale between the Junior Springboks and New Zealand.
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