Captain Riley Norton has hailed the Junior Springboks’ work-rate and unity during their victorious World Rugby Under 20 Championship campaign.

South Africa defeated the old foe and six-time champions New Zealand 23-15 in Rovigo, Italy on Saturday night to win only their second title – the first since 2012.

Tries at either end of the game from flanker Xola Nyali and fullback Gilermo Mentoe as well as 13 points from the boot of flyhalf Vusi Moyo, secured victory for the Junior Springboks.

MATCH REPORT: Junior Boks, champions of the world

After the game, Norton praised his teammates as well as the coaching staff.

“I’m quite emotional, but I’m just so proud,” said the Paul Roos old boy.

“The amount of work that we put in after not a great TRC, our backs were against the wall and we just came out and gave it everything. The group is unbelievable, the management, the coaches – we all pulled into a common idea. It wasn’t easy at times, but ja, this is the greatest day of my life.”

Norton says it was their traditional strengths that secured the result for them against a Baby Blacks team who refused to back down.

“We had to show up physically. That’s our DNA. That’s where we South Africans get our passion and our energy from. The set-phase, the maul, the scrum, the hits – the guys did that for 80 minutes and that’s where we get our DNA from. Of course (Vusi) Moyo with his unbelievable boot always putting us on the front foot and kicking those penalties, it’s just unbelievable.”

Asked whether the Junior Boks felt any pressure being the top seed coming into the tournament, Norton said there were nerves but never really pressure.

“The amount of support we received from South Africa, videos from our mates, people sending us messages and just backing us was just unbelievable. I’m so proud to be South African and we couldn’t have done it without our fans back at home cheering us on every step of the way.”

In this moment, nothing else matters. @SAJuniorRugby defeat New Zealand 15-23 to become #WorldRugbyU20s Champions 🏆 pic.twitter.com/YB3X4VIoi5

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 19, 2025

Photo: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images