Foote reflects on Junior Boks’ loss to Australia, calls match against New Zealand ‘huge’

Having fallen to Australia in their second match of the U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha on Tuesday afternoon, the Junior Springboks will have to regroup quickly ahead of their final match of the competition, against New Zealand this coming Sunday.

Kevin Foote’s team lost 29-24 to the junior Wallabies after leading 17-0 early in the second half.

The Junior Boks won their first game of the competition, against Argentina, last Thursday and next face the junior All Blacks, on Sunday.

Foote gave all the credit to the Australian team for turning the game on Tuesday in their favour. They scored four second half tries to edge the South Africans by five points.

‘Australia deserve credit for staying in fight’

“We got pegged down in our own half after half-time, and a few turnovers gave them opportunities and momentum,” said Foote.

“I think Australia deserve a lot of credit for staying in the fight, they’re gutsy and did well at that. We turned over too much ball and the defensive pressure became big for us.

“The number one thing to improve on is probably to look after our ball and making sure we don’t give it up too easily, as well as our discipline to not concede soft penalties.”

Junior Bok captain Riley Norton also emphasised the number of penalties conceded and the Aussies’ territorial advantage.

“I thought we had a great first half and I thought our game drivers were doing very well,” said Norton.

“In the second half we conceded some soft penalties at times and then we lost the territorial battle. These are valuable lessons for us before the World Rugby U20 Championship.

“The boys are still positive, and we have one more game to play in the Championship, and we are excited for that.”

‘Huge fixture’ against New Zealand

Foote said the match against New Zealand would be “huge”. The junior All Blacks scored 11 tries to three in their 75-21 victory over Argentina earlier on Tuesday, and Foote said they realise a big step up will be required when they take on their arch-rivals on Sunday.

“This will be a huge fixture for us. They play with a great tempo and have their tails up so they will be great opposition,” said Foote.

“The team will be very highly motivated for the New Zealand match; we are playing at home, and facing New Zealand is just an amazing Test match in itself.”