Skipper Riley Norton says the Junior Springboks are ready to front the toughest group at the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship, which kicks off in Italy this week.

South Africa have been drawn alongside Australia, defending champions England and Scotland in what many are calling the ‘pool of death’ – a challenge Norton says the squad is relishing rather than fearing.

Kevin Foote’s charges face the Australians on Sunday at the Stadio San Michele in Calvisano, before they tackle their English and Scottish rivals on Friday, 4 July and Wednesday, 9 July respectively.

“We are going there to express ourselves, so I don’t think the pressure is on us,” Norton was quoted by IOL Sport. “The team is well prepared, and we are backing ourselves and the gameplan.”

While the pressure of adding a third global title to South Africa’s current World Cup and sevens crowns lingers, the lock says they’re drawing energy from that success, not anxiety.

“We are in an unbelievable position to play rugby and to inspire the next generation. That pressure is not something we look at,” he added.

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“We know South Africans love winning and that will always be on your shoulders, but we just want to go out there and do what we have trained and enjoy the moment.

“When we all enjoy it and love our rugby, that is when we play our best.”

The Junior Boks head into the tournament better prepared after tough matches against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina in the recent Rugby Championship in the Republic.

South Africa lost to the Kiwis and Aussies, but Norton believes the key lessons have been learnt.

“If we want to play against the good sides at U20 level, we must be consistent. That was the biggest learning. We can’t start like a house on fire and lose our momentum,” he said.

“If we have teams under the pump, we must ensure we play like that for 80 minutes. It is something we looked at. We have looked at what didn’t go well in the Rugby Championship and fixed it in camp.”

South Africa’s last U20 title came in 2012. Norton says this year’s group is hungry to end the drought, and eager to test themselves against the best.

“We are in a competitive group, but that is how we like it. We want to play against the best.”

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