VIDEO: The scary prospect for Baby Boks' opposition in 2026
South Africa’s World Champion Under-20 team returned home to a hero’s welcome this week, but they have a goal of replicating their senior compatriots and winning back-to-back titles.
The Baby Boks ended a 13-year wait to reclaim the global Under-20 crown with a 23-15 victory over the Junior All Blacks in Rovigo this past weekend.
An ecstatic Baby Bok coach Kevin Foote said ‘sometimes it doesn’t feel real’.
However, he can look forward to the defence of their title in 2026 with confidence.
With a sizable chunk of the squad available for the 2026 campaigns – both the Rugby Championship and World Championship – the Baby Boks will have the weight of expectations that come with the World Champions tag.
“It will be important from our leadership point of view,” Foote told @rugby365com, when asked about the returning players – including captain Riley Norton, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Cheswill Jooste, Vusi Moyo, Oliver Reid and Phiwayinkosi Kubheka.
They will also have a host of new faces next year.
“It is our responsibility to ensure we create the right environment, like the environment and culture we created this year,” the coach added.
“The new batch must understand how we want to play and what it means go play for South Africa.
“The leadership and culture is fundamental to win the championship.
“We will take a lot of confidence from the guys that are returning, but we know there is a special group coming in.”
(WATCH as South African Under-20 coach Kevin Foote chats to @king365ed about repeating the World Championship-winning performance they produced in Italy last week…..)
Having involved 90-odd your players in two camps this year – before the Under-20 Rugby Championship and junior World Championship, 30 of those players will be back next year.
A sizeable chunk of them will also feature in this year’s Currie Cup.
“There are a lot of guys who may not have featured yet, but could put their hands up in the Currie Cup,” he said.
@king365ed
@rugby365com
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