MICHAEL FINCH, Johannesburg | Wednesday 7.00pm.
THE victorious national Under 21 rugby team — one of the most racially representative team to leave local shores — arrived back in South Africa on Wednesday, just at a time when some good news is needed for local rugby.
After beating the Baby All Blacks 27-25 in the thrilling final of the Sanzar/UAR tournament — the unofficial under 21 World Cup — in Buenos Aires on Sunday, it was jubilant 28-member squad that packed into the VIP suite at Johannesburg International.
One of the happiest of them all was coach Eric Sauls, who along with assistant coach and former Springbok advisor, Jake White, pulled of the remarkable win when South Africa were only expected to reach the semi-finals at best.
Led by astute Natal captain, John Smith — as eloquent in real life as he is in ability on the field — the Baby Boks scored a remarkable six tries against Wales, seven tries against England, and three tries each against Australia and New Zealand.
Hopefully it was a performance that will help inspire their senior counterparts against the All Blacks at Loftus on Saturday.
But perhaps the biggest revelation was the performance of the ten non-white players in the side.
Sauls was adamant that, despite the quota system, each one had earned his place on merit and they had shown that, with the right enviroment, they were more than ready for higher honours.
“If given opportunities these players can definitely play at a higher level,” Sauls beamed. “If they are given a fair chance in the regional teams, then they will be in a position to play Super 12 rugby.”