‘Stay in the fight’: How the New Zealand under-20s rugby team defied the odds
Tuesday, 13 May 2025
A bold declaration from Springboks captain Siya Kolisi didn't intimidate the New Zealand under-20s team when they overcame significant odds to secure a remarkable victory to beat their South Africa counterparts and defend the Rugby Championship under-20 title.
Despite trailing 19-0 early and losing two players to red and yellow cards, the 13-man New Zealand team defeated South Africa 48-45 in an epic encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Monday morning (NZT).
Kolisi’s statement about a week before the New Zealanders played South Africans set the scene for what proved to be a physical, and riveting, contest.
Kolisi fired a warning shot at the South African team's opponents in the four-team tournament when he raved about the big specimens in the green-and-gold age-group squad.
'The size of these boys, it's ridiculous compared to me,'' Kolisi, a flanker who weighs around 105kg, said.
The New Zealanders, however, didn't allow the World Cup-winning captain's statement to blur their focus.
They also had other reasons to beat the South Africans on their own soil.
Given the rich history between the two countries, and that the All Blacks lost to the Springboks in Johannesburg and Cape Town last year, the Kiwis had plenty of incentive to win their third and final game of the tournament.
New Zealand captain and hooker Manumaua Letiu reiterated Kolisi's message when he reflected on his side clinging to victory after being reduced to 13 players because of the red and yellow cards.
'I'm in awe, really, at how physical South Africa was,'' Letiu said. 'Stay in the fight, next job mantra was the message. Great to finish it off.''
Letiu's team won in dramatic circumstances. There was no panic when they were behind by almost 20 points after 12 minutes.
'We were under pressure, obviously, with those first three tries being conceded but we just talked about that next-job mindset,’’ he said.
“We couldn't dwell on it, so [it was] just to the next job. Fighting and fighting.
'That was really the simple message coming through.''
Openside flanker Caleb Woodley was red carded for a high tackle in the 69th minute, and replacement forward Randall Baker was yellow carded for collapsing a maul, which resulted in the South Africans being awarded with a penalty try with about four minutes left on the clock.
The New Zealanders, who drew with Australia in their opening game and thumped Argentina, won the title because they had secured more bonus points than the unbeaten Aussies.
Their success would have been welcomed by NZ Rugby after posting a $19.5 million net deficit at the annual meeting last week. That was despite declaring record income of $285 million.
NZ Rugby's investment in high performance teams is an important strategy to ensure the best players are groomed for the chance to represent the All Blacks, and New Zealand coach Milton Haig now has to select a squad for the under-20 world championships in Italy from June 29 to July 19.
NZ Rugby will be hoping their team can be competitive against the European heavyweights.
Last year New Zealand, coached by Jono Gibbes, finished third at the world championships. England beat France in the final.
The win over South Africa in Gqeberha could be viewed as a step forward.
Whether the southern hemisphere countries can close the gap on their northern counterparts is the big question that needs to be answered.
Talking points following the NZ under-20s team’s win over South Africa.
1 NZ trailed 0-19 after 12 minutes.
2 NZ was reduced to 13 players late in the game because of red and yellow cards to Caleb Woodley and Randall Baker, respectively.
3 NZ scored eight tries to South Africa's seven.
4 NZ left wing Harlyn Saunoa scored a hat-trick in the first half.
New Zealand under-20: 48 (Harlyn Saunoa 3, Maloni Kunawave 2, Manumaua Letiu, Sika Pole, Stanley Solomon tries; Will Coles 4 con) South Africa under-20: 45 (Wandile Mlaba 2, Albie Bester, Simphiwe Ngobese, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Gino Cupido tries, pen try; Vusi Moyo 4 con) HT: 24-26.