The South Africans showed trademark ferocity in defence to eventually run out 23-15 winners against their old rivals in Rovigo and claim their second U20 Championship title in history.
"Defence is all about character, and there were moments when New Zealand were right on our line, but we held firm,” Foote said.
"From a coach’s perspective, you can't ask for more than that. It was a real South African defensive effort and gees (spirit) that won it for us today.
"I looked at the players on the field and saw their body language – they were so present and in the moment. They had such belief, and I’m incredibly proud of what they've achieved here in Italy.”
The last South African team to win the U20 Championship had future World Cup winners in the form of Handre Pollard, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Steven Kitshoff.
And in Italy over the past few weeks we saw a potential future Springbok captain in Riley Norton, who commanded his team from the engine room to deliver the ultimate prize.
"I’m quite emotional, but I'm just so proud,” Norton said.
"The amount of work that we put in after not a great TRC, our backs were against the wall and we just came out and gave it everything. The group is unbelievable, the management, the coaches – we all pulled into a common idea. It wasn’t easy at times - this is the greatest day of my life.”
Asked about the defensive effort required from his troops, Norton said: "We had to show up physically.
"That's our DNA. That’s where we South Africans get our passion and our energy from. The set-phase, the maul, the scrum, the hits – the guys did that for 80 minutes and that's where we get our DNA from.
"Of course (Vusi) Moyo with his unbelievable boot always putting us on the front foot and kicking those penalties, it’s just unbelievable."