Coach and captain of the Junior Springboks sing the team's praises for being able to adapt their game plan against a tough Argentina side.
Scrumhalf Haashim Pead scored two tries against Argentina on the day. Picture: Gallo Images
Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton said he “couldn’t be prouder” after his side turned their U20 Rugby Championship match against Argentina on its head to secure the victory on Thursday.
The team’s coach, Kevin Foote, likewise sang his side’s praises after they adapted their game plan against a determined and stylish Argentina to turn a 25–15 deficit into a 36–25 win in front of a crowd of 9 000 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
The Junior Springboks won with five tries to three, with scores coming from Haashim Pead (2), Demitre Erasmus, Riley Norton and Gino Cupido. Flyhalf Kyle Smith also slotted three conversions and a penalty.
But it was only thanks to a dominant second-half performance, with three unanswered tries and a major tightening of their defence in the last 35 minutes that gave them the edge.
“It feels really good to get the win in the bag,” Norton said. “Of course, there are things we can work on, but to fight through those 80 minutes, [and] tough times, it was really proper character from the boys. I couldn’t be prouder.”
The captain added that Argentina showed passion to fight until the last minute and demonstrated their class in dominating lineouts against a side that had talked up its set-piece strength before the game.
“Argentina, the way they contest is they throw the guys in the air and they were brilliant today. So we’ll definitely go back to the drawing board on that. But to lose a lot of set-piece and still dominate, I am really, really proud of the boys.”
Coach Foote commended his team for dealing with their initial nerves and adapting to the slippery conditions at the stadium.
“One of our biggest strengths is our leadership and after half-time, when they scored quickly, the guys didn’t drop their heads,” Foote said.
“The guys adapted really well after half-time and a lot of credit has to go to the leadership group and their ability to maintain confidence and belief, and go back to what we knew was going to work, playing a territory-based game and putting pressure on their opponents in their own half.”
The Junior Springbok coach also thanked the crowd, who had seen Australia snatch a 29-all draw against New Zealand earlier in the day, for creating an “electric atmosphere” to help the South Africans cross the line.
The Junior Springboks next play their next match of the tournament against Australia on Tuesday (kick-off 4.10pm). New Zealand will take on Argentina before that game, kicking off at 2pm.
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