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Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton says the team has come a long way since the SANZAAR U20 Rugby Championship final in Gqeberha earlier this year, as they prepare for a blockbuster rematch against New Zealand in Saturday’s World Rugby U20 Championship final in Rovigo, Italy.
It’s a chance for redemption after their earlier loss to the same opponents.
Norton credits the time spent together for helping build trust and refine combinations within the squad.
"Guys come from all different unions, different areas and they are not used to playing with each other. So, I think when you get combinations right and overtime when you can build trust with the people next to you, I think that's the biggest difference for us,” Norton said.
“I think our defense has improved tremendously from the rugby championships, we saw that teams were rounding us on the edges and things like that. I just think it was all down to combinations and now our defence is working, everyone is on the same page and we're trusting one another.
“So, we're in a really good space at the moment, today was tough but come Saturday we'll be ready, excited to go against a great New Zealand side."
Norton believes the Junior Boks don’t need any extra motivation heading into Saturday’s final – their first appearance in the title match since 2014.
Following a commanding 48-24 victory over Argentina in the semi-finals, the skipper says facing the All Blacks again will be the “ultimate test.”
"Like coach Kevin [Foote] says you dream of a stage like this playing on Saturday, facing the Haka. The tradition and history of New Zealand and South African rugby is just unbelievable. We love playing against each other, we have great respect for each other and it's gonna be a battle for 80 minutes,” he added.
“So we're extremely excited, we won't need any more motivation. The guys will be keen and up for it, just like New Zealand will and I think it's gonna be an unbelievable game of rugby and we're extremely excited for it."
