Happy Foote impressed with Junior Boks' cool heads

Coach Kevin Foote says the composure of the Junior Boks in fighting back to beat Argentina in the 2025 U20 Rugby Championship opener highlights the team’s belief in the plan.

The SA U20s had to work very hard to launch their campaign with a 36-25 win against the Pumitas at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday. The Junior Boks were 25-15 down early in the third quarter but rallied to score three converted tries without conceding another point to seal the win and take an early lead in the championship.

“One of our biggest strengths is our leadership,” said Foote. “The guys didn’t drop their heads, they 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.”

READ: Junior Boks fight back to skin Pumitas

He did it for the Blitzboks and now he does it for the Junior Boks 🤌🇿🇦

Gino Cupido knows his way around a try line ⚡

📺 Stream #TRCU20 on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/cBkuTB65ZU

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) May 1, 2025

The Junior Boks’ next assignment is against Australia at 4.10pm on Tuesday (6 May), while Argentina turn their attention to New Zealand in the earlier game (2pm kick off).