The Junior Boks lifted the World Rugby Under-20 Championship trophy on Saturday after a memorable win over New Zealand, who have won the tournament six times.

It was SA’s second U20 world title and their first in over a decade, with their last triumph coming 13 years ago. The victory also means SA rugby currently holds the senior Rugby World Cup, the Under-20 Championship, and the Sevens World Cup titles, a rare achievement in the sport.

Alexander said the win was a result of a deliberate focus on strengthening the coaching structures around the junior side.

“We strengthened the coaching setup, making sure that whoever is in charge of the team works at a franchise level and has access to the best expertise,” Alexander explained. “Our junior coaches work closely with the Springbok coaching staff and we are seeing the benefits of a system that has delivered world champions across all levels, from seniors to sevens, and now juniors.”

He also thanked South Africans for their continued support of rugby, praising fans and sponsors for standing behind the team.

“We are building for South Africans, and we thank everyone who backs our teams through thick and thin,” Alexander said.

The Junior Springboks’ performance has been widely celebrated at home, with many hailing it as a strong indicator of the depth and future success of South African rugby.

--ChannelAfrica--