How Riley Norton will still help the Junior Boks

SPOTLIGHT: Newly appointed Junior Springbok captain Siphosethu Mnebelele praised the impact that 2025 skipper Riley Norton had on him and the team ahead of their World Rugby Under-20 title defence in Georgia.

The Junior Boks addressed the media on Monday at the Cape Town International Airport before their departure to Georgia for their title defence.

*Also read: Rassie’s Bomb Squad dilemma: Can rookies plug gaps?

On Monday Morning, hooker Mnebelele, who featured for the SA ‘A’ side against the Zimbabwe Sables this past weekend, was named Junior Bok captain, with Norton called up to the Springbok squad for the Nations Championship, starting July 4 against England at Ellis Park.

Mnebelele expressed his gratitude for the opportunity when asked about his initial reaction upon learning he would skipper the side.

“It was surreal when coach Footy [Kevin Foote] announced it this morning [Monday],” Mnebelele said.

“Just seeing the squad’s reaction made me feel welcome, and the boys are ready to go to war. It’s a surreal moment, and I’m seriously grateful.”

The newly appointed captain was quick to praise his former captain, Norton, for the impact he made on him and the squad.

“It’s definitely a big honour and privilege for me. Having had a leader like Riley [Norton] in the team is something you can never take for granted as a player.

“He’s such a good leader, and as a teammate, you can learn so much from him. It’s a huge privilege, I just hope to lead the team as best as I possibly can.

“I’m also lucky to be a leader in a group like this with so many leaders around me in this space.”

Continues below…

Head coach Kevin Foote also highlighted his reasons for backing Mnebelele with the captain’s armband.

“Siphosethu [Mnebelele] has led [before]. He captained SA Under-18 and is a very good leader.

“He’s been a good leader at school [level] and has been in the leadership group for the last two years, so he knows the guys really well.

“He’s got the respect of his teammates, and it’s a natural progression for him to take over from Riley [Norton] and we’re excited for him.”

The Junior Bok coach also had high praise for Norton’s meteoric rise to the national side.

“He’s a very special man and a very good leader.

“From the kick-off [against the Barbarians], he made the first tackle.

“His work ethic, maturity and love for SA Rugby is amazing.

“The people around him and his family have done a great job in producing such a great human.”

Foote credited the schools system for developing players such as Mnebelele, Norton and Vusi Moyo, who had their first taste of senior rugby in national colours for the SA ‘A’ and Springbok team this past weekend, respectively.

“It’s a testament to the schools [system] if I’m honest.

“In my day, players weren’t physically ready to go from Under-19 to senior [rugby].

“Now these guys get great S&C [strength and conditioning], have great coaches, and many of these coaches have played professional rugby that’s coaching at schools now.

“They get exposed to good S&C, good coaching, but also to pressure.

“If you think about it, almost all the games are televised. The derby games have crowd attendances of up to 10,000 people, so they’re not scared of playing in front of big crowds.

“They’re very lucky in the sense that they get this look-in as youngsters.

“I grew up with [former Bok loose forward] Joe van Niekerk, and he was like a unicorn. He played for the Boks before he played Super Rugby, and we all celebrated that.

“Now these guys are on the big stage, they’re mature, and I think their parents, schools and unions are doing a very good job in their development.”