South Africa Wins U20 Rugby World Cup Final Against New Zealand

Riley Norton, a 19-year-old South African athlete, has accomplished the rare feat of representing his country in World Cups for two different sports. After a successful stint in the 2024 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he was a key all-rounder with 11 wickets and a batting average of 50, Norton transitioned to rugby and now captains South Africa's Under-20 team in the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy. Under his leadership, the South African rugby team has delivered dominant performances, securing wins against Australia, England, Scotland, and Argentina, and advancing to the final against New Zealand. Norton's switch to rugby follows in the footsteps of his father and highlights his dual-sport talent, a rarity at the international level, with only a few athletes like Rudie van Vuuren having represented their countries in both cricket and rugby World Cups. While Norton has not played professional cricket since the Under-19 World Cup, he continues his academic pursuits alongside his rugby career at Stellenbosch University. This achievement underscores South Africa's strong presence in youth rugby, marked by consistent top-four finishes and past championship successes.