South Africa’s victorious Junior Springboks will return home on Monday after their historic triumph in the World Rugby U20 Championship, where they defeated New Zealand 23-15 in the final to claim their first title since 2012.
The team is scheduled to touch down at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 10:35 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 042 on Monday morning. And they are expected to be met with a hero’s welcome.
SA Rugby President Mark Alexander will join the players and coaches for a media conference at 11:15 in the airport’s media room, celebrating the young team’s undefeated campaign.
CAPE TOWN ALSO GETS TO SHARE IN CELEBRATIONS
Coach Kevin Foote and several Junior Springboks players, including captain Riley Norton, are also scheduled for a brief stand-up media session at Cape Town International Airport following their arrival in the Mother City at 15:45.
JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS STILL IN DISBELIEF
The Junior Springboks’ win in Rovigo, Italy, marks South Africa’s third world title across rugby’s major competitions, joining the senior Springboks and the Blitzboks as reigning global champions.
Their gritty, physical style and strong team unity earned them seven straight wins in the tournament, including two victories over New Zealand.
Speaking after his team’s title triumph, Norton said the squad was still absorbing the scale of their achievement.
“It’s overwhelming. We knew what we were capable of, but to bring the trophy back home means the world to us.”
Coach Foote added: “These boys showed South African heart. It’s not just a win for the team, it’s a win for the future of our rugby.”
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE FINAL?
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