The Junior Springbok season will kick off in all earnest with the invitation of a big group of players to the first SA Rugby Under-20 Academy camp, which will be held at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport from 26 January to 16 February.

The U20 assembly follows on the two successful U19 camps which were held at the same venue towards the end of last year.

Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote and his coaching staff worked with a group of 48 players at SAS in November and December, with the camps laying the foundation for the identification and preparation of the next generation of Junior Springboks.

A series of training matches, including two against local university opposition, are in the pipeline to assist the U20 Academy group in their preparations for what promises to be a busy international programme. The Junior Springboks will be selected from the wider Academy squad.

The Junior Boks are set to compete in the second instalment of the Sanzaar-organised U20 Rugby Championship for southern hemisphere teams in May, as well as the World Rugby U20 Championship in June and July.

A short trip to Georgia, as part of the build-up towards the two international events, is also in the pipeline for next month and will be confirmed once all arrangements have been finalised.

Turning his attention to the U20 Academy camp, Foote explained the group will hit the ground running with a full programme of technical, tactical and fitness training planned for week one.

“Last year’s two camps were very useful and productive, and we focussed a lot on putting the fundamentals in place of what we expect from the players,” said Foote.

“We are excited to get the group together again and looking forward to the camp. This will also give us an opportunity to work with players who were not present during the two training camps held late last year.”

Foote added that its very much early days and that passage to the World Rugby Under20 Championship, to be staged in the middle of the year, is not closed to players who have, up to now, not formed part of the training squads.

“It’s an exciting time for players, and they know that a huge amount of preparation work lies ahead for what promises to be a busy season for us,” he said. “We will be targeting the set-piece and our kicking game in the first block, which is the DNA of South African rugby.”

SA Rugby U20 Academy squad for the first camp in Stellenbosch:

Props: Ranon Fouché (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Herman Lubbe (DHL WP), Oliver Reid (DHL WP), Tebogo Nkosi (Toyota Cheetahs), Ulrich van der Merwe (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Hookers: Juandré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), HB Odendaal (Fidelity ADT Lions), Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls).

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Kuhle Mthimkhulu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Morne Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions), Riley Norton (DHL WP), Arno van der Merwe (Toyota Cheetahs), James Schnetler (Vodacom Bulls), Johan Hattingh (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Loose forwards: JJ Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Bathobele Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Yabo Ndzamela (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Thando Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions), Divan Fuller (DHL WP), Xola Nyali (DHL WP), Stephanus Linde (Toyota Cheetahs), Wandile Mlaba (DHL WP).

Scrumhalves: Zeke January (Vodacom Bulls), Ceano Everson (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Haashim Pead (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Flyhalves: Matthew Coetzee (Fidelity ADT Lions), Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL WP), Kyle Smith (DHL WP), JT Kapank (Vodacom Bulls).

Centres: Pieter van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls), Albie Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Outside backs: Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), Chijindu Okonta (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Scott Nel (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gilermo Mentoe (Fidelity ADT Lions), Siya Ndlozi (DHL WP).

Utility back: Dominic Malgas (DHL WP).

Former Springbok lock and SA 'A' head coach Johan Ackermann will return to South Africa after seven years abroad to add his considerable experience to the Junior Springbok squad in the capacity as coaching consultant.

The 54-year-old Ackermann will return to South Africa from Japan, where he had been coaching for the last four years. Before that, be spent three seasons with Gloucester in England.

His last job in South Africa was with the Emirates Lions from 2013 to 2018, in which time he took the Johannesburg-based franchise to three consecutive Vodacom Super Rugby finals.

Ackermann, a three-time SA Rugby Coach of the Year winner, was at the helm of the SA 'A' team in 2016 against the England Saxons, and in 2017 against the French Barbarians. He also played 13 Tests for the Springboks between 1996 and 2007.

“To have someone with Johan’s experience return home and join the Junior Boks is fantastic for South African rugby, and he’ll be a great mentor to both our staff and players,” said Dave Wessels, General Manager of SA Rugby’s High-Performance Department.

“Following our review of the SA U20 campaign earlier this year, we identified certain areas for improvement, and bringing in Johan is one of the many ways we aim to address these. The goal of our junior programme is to develop players who can one day go on to become champion Springboks.”

Ackermann will join the Junior Springbok coaching team, consisting of head coach Kevin Foote and assistants Lumumba Currie and Melusi Mthethwa, in January and will remain with the team until the conclusion of the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship.

Foote, Currie and Mthethwa are currently in camp with the SA U19 Academy squad. All the players are eligible to represent the Junior Boks next year.

Newly appointed Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote is excited about his new challenge and ready to roll up sleeves in preparation of laying the groundwork for what promises to be a busy season for the SA Under-20’s next year.

Foote and his fellow coaches, Lumumba Currie and Melusi Mthethwa, whose appointmentwas confirmed two weeks ago, have already started preparing for the inaugural SA Under-19 Academy camp in November and December in Stellenbosch.

“I am super excited about the next step in my coaching career, and it is an absolute honour and privilege to be involved with the Junior Springboks as we get ready to prepare the next generations of Springboks,” said Foote.

In explaining the reason for the forthcoming SA U19 Academy camps, he said: “We (Junior Bok coaching staff) are working closely with the Talent Management Department whose role is to assist and expose the new coaching staff to as many of the identified players as possible over the two-camp period.

“The main aim for now is for us to work with a full squad during the two camps, which will include two training matches, so that we have a clear picture for the selection of our SA Rugby Academy intake next year, which is the main building block in terms of pre-season training for the Junior Boks.

“Our coaching, medical and administrative staff have worked hard over the last few weeks to make the U19 Academy camp a reality, and I want to thank them, as well as the Talent Management Department and the other SA Rugby staff, for putting in place this exciting programme in such a short space of time.

“We are all excited to work with this very talented group, and the coaching staff and I cannot wait to get onto the training field to get the ball rolling,” added Foote.

Meanwhile, SA Rugby has announced a number of changes to the original group of 48 players to attend the camp from 18 to 30 November at the Stellenbosch Academy Sports (SAS).

A second camp of two weeks is set to be hosted at the same venue, from 8 to 21 December, whereafter the 2025 SA Rugby Academy programme will commence, as frontrunner for the selection of the next year’s Junior Springbok squad.

Divan Fuller (loose forward) and JC Mars (fullback) have been pulled into the DHL Stormers’ Vodacom United Rugby Championship training group and were replaced by Aiden Norris and (DHL WP) and JT Strydom (Toyota Cheetahs) respectively.

With Siya Ndlozi and Gino Cupido being involved with the SA Sevens Academy squad presently, it was decided to call up Chijindu Okonta (Hollywoodbets Sharks, left wing) and Daniel van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls, centre) in their place, while DHL WP flyhalf Dominic Malgas is also a new addition.

Furthermore, two players who are currently based in France – Christian Everitt and JC Viljoen – were replaced by HB Odendaal (Fidelity ADT Lions) and Imaani Phemba (Hollywoodbets Sharks), while Exauce Tshiamala has been withdrawn from the squad until his eligibility status has been confirmed.

Players who are in matric this year were not considered for the camps, but will get an opportunity to stake their claims next year.

SA Rugby have lined up a couple of fixtures for the U19 Academy squad, with a short international tour to Europe for the Junior Boks early in 2025 also on the cards before next year’s U20 Rugby Championship.

Details of the Academy fixtures and next year’s Junior Bok European tour will be announced once all arrangements have been confirmed.

Updated SA Rugby U19 Academy squad:

Props: Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Christoff Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Toyota Cheetahs), Ranon Fouche (Vodacom Bulls), Sandi Msengana (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Ali Thiam (Vodacom Bulls), Herman Lubbe (DHL Western Province).

Hookers: HB Odendaal (Fidelity ADT Lions), Imaani Pemba (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jaundre Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Stefan Venter (Toyota Cheetahs).

Locks: Danio Botha (DHL Western Province), Neil Hansen (Fidelity ADT Lions), Michael Versfeld (Vodacom Bulls), Ulrich van der Westhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kuhle Mthimkhulu (Hollywoodbets Sharks) Morne Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions), Eduan Vosloo (Vodacom Bulls).

Loose forwards: Aiden Norris (DHL Western Province), Xola Nyali (DHL Western Province), De Wet Grant Fourie (Fidelity ADT Lions), Bathobele Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Matt Romao (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Yabo Ndzamela (Hollywoodbets Sharks), JJ Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Thandolwethu Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions), Wandile Mlaba (DHL Western Province), Marco Ferreira (Vodacom Bulls).

Scrumhalves: Haashim Pead (Fidelity ADT Lions), Juan Loots (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Christiaan van der Westhuizen (Toyota Cheetahs), Zeke January (Vodacom Bulls).

Flyhalves: Kyle Smith (DHL Western Province), Dominic Malgas (DHL Western Province), JT Kapank (Vodacom Bulls).

Centres: Tirhani Masondo (Fidelity ADT Lions), Albie Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Daniel van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls), Demitre Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Scott Nel (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jody Schambreel (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Outside backs: Chijindu Okonta (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Riyaad Bam (Vodacom Bulls), JT Strydom (Toyota Cheetahs), Gilermo Mentoe (Fidelity ADT Lions), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

SA Rugby has announced a group of 48 players to attend the first Under-19 Academy camp from 18 to 30 November at the Stellenbosch Academy Sports (SAS), with the camp laying the foundation for the identification and preparation of the next generation of Junior Springboks.

A second camp of two weeks is set to be hosted at the same venue, from 8 to 21 December, whereafter the 2024 SA Rugby Academy programme will commence, as frontrunner for the selection of the next year’s Junior Springbok squad, with new SA U20 coach Kevin Foote taking a central role in the preparations.

Included in the U19 intake are several capped Junior Springboks who played in the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship earlier this year in Australia, as well as the World Rugby U20 Championship hosted in Cape Town.

Herman Lubbe (prop) Divan Fuller (loose forward), Wandile Mlaba (No 8), Bathobele Hlekani (utility forward), Hassiem Pead (scrumhalf) and JC Mars (fullback) were all members of this year’s SA U20 squad, with Fuller, Hlekani and Mars also getting a taste of Carling Currie Cup action.

The rest of the U19 Academy squad features an exciting selection of the brightest young rugby talents in the country, including several members of the SA U19 Cup and U21 Cup winning sides, the Fidelity ADT Lions U19 and DHL WP U21, respectively.

According to Dave Wessels, SA Rugby’s General Manager for High Performance, the establishment of the U19 Academy is one of the key recommendations flowing from the intensive review of the 2024 Junior Bok season, which saw the team finish seventh at the World Rugby U20 Championship and second at the U20 Rugby Championship.

A strategic imperative of SA Rugby is for the Junior Springboks to win the global showpiece at least once in a three-year cycle. The team last won the world championship in 2012, with their narrow loss to England in the 2014 final in Auckland the next best result.

“We had a thorough and robust review of the 2024 SA U20 season and while we agree that our pathway is certainly delivering healthy pipeline of players to the Springboks and senior franchise and provincial teams, the Junior Boks have been struggling to perform consistently on the international stage,” said Wessels.

“The creation of an U19 Academy group was highlighted as an important intervention to bridge the gap between schoolboy participation and U20 international rugby.

“One thing that was also very clear is that we must create more playing opportunities for our youngsters. The European teams have the advantage of the annual U20 Six Nations while the Pacific Nations also have a yearly competition.

“Although participation in the (recently established) U20 Rugby Championship is a helpful step in the right direction, we must be creative in terms of looking for more playing opportunities for this age group.

“It is no coincidence that the likes of England and France have been dominating the U20 international scene the past few years; apart from international participation, their select groups also have opportunities to gain vital experience from playing senior club rugby.”

Wessels mentioned SA Rugby have lined up a couple of fixtures for the U19 Academy squad, with a short international tour to Europe for the Junior Boks early in 2025 also on the cards before next year’s U20 Rugby Championship.

Details of the Academy fixtures and next year’s Junior Bok European tour will be announced once all arrangements have been confirmed.

SA Rugby U19 Academy squad:

Props: Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Christoff Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Toyota Cheetahs), Ranon Fouche (Vodacom Bulls), Sandi Msengana (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Ali Thiam (Vodacom Bulls), Herman Lubbe (DHL Western Province).

Hookers: Christian Everitt (Hollywoodbets Sharks), JC Viljoen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jaundre Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Stefan Venter (Toyota Cheetahs).

Locks: Danio Botha (DHL Western Province), Neil Hansen (Fidelity ADT Lions), Michael Versfeld (Vodacom Bulls), Ulrich van der Westhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kuhle Mthimkhulu (Hollywoodbets Sharks) Morne Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions), Eduan Vosloo (Vodacom Bulls).

Loose forwards: Divan Fuller (DHL Western Province), Xola Nyali (DHL Western Province), De Wet Grant Fourie (Fidelity ADT Lions), Bathobele Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Matt Romao (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Yabo Ndzamela (Hollywoodbets Sharks), JJ Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Thandolwethu Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions), Wandile Mlaba (DHL Western Province), Marco Ferreira (Vodacom Bulls).

Scrumhalves: Hassiem Pead (Fidelity ADT Lions), Juan Loots (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Christiaan van der Westhuizen (Toyota Cheetahs), Zeke January (Vodacom Bulls).

Flyhalves: Kyle Smith (DHL Western Province), Matthew Coetzee (Fidelity ADT Lions), JT Kapank (Vodacom Bulls).

Centres: Tirhani Masondo (Fidelity ADT Lions), Albie Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gino Cupido (DHL Western Province, SA Sevens Academy), Demitre Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Exauce Kevani Tshiamala (Fidelity ADT Lions), Scott Nel (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jody Schambreel (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Outside backs: Siya Ndlozi (Hollywoodbets Sharks, SA Sevens Academy), Riyaad Bam (Vodacom Bulls), JC Mars (DHL Western Province), Gilermo Mentoe (Fidelity ADT Lions), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

The Junior Springboks have made several changes to their match-day squad for Sunday's playoff match with Argentina in the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. The match starts at 14h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

The SA U20 front row is freshened up with only captain Zachary Porthen remaining from the starting trio against England. Porthen anchors the scrum alongside Ruan Swart (prop) and Ethan Bester (hooker).

JF van Heerden moves from lock to blindside flanker in a new-look loose trio, which also features the return of Tiaan Jacobs at No 8.

Amongst the backs, Tyloor Sefoor takes over the flyhalf duties to form a different halfback partnership with Asad Moos. Other rotations in the backline see Phillip-Albert van Niekerk back at inside centre and Joel Leotlela at right wing, while Michail Damon is retained at fullback.

The bench shows a return to a split of five forward and three backs, with the versatile Ezekiel Ngobeni included after missing the last two games following an injury he picked up against Fiji two weeks ago. Hassiem Pead is set to gain his first run off the bench.

Junior Bok head coach Bafana Nhleko said there were several reasons for the team shuffle.

“A couple of the players haven't featured, and the rotation will give them team the opportunity to play Test match rugby against a quality Argentina outfit,” said Nhleko.

“We also had injuries toLikhona Finca, Thabang Mphafi, both who have been ruled out of the competition, and Josh Boulle just missed being ready by a few days.

“It will also give the squad another opportunity to grow their international experience, which is important for our future player pathway.”

The SA U20 coach said that although the England result was a huge disappointment, it was an improved performance from Argentina and they are desperate to end well with two games remaining, and they want to finish as high as possible.

After falling to Argentina in their second pool match, the Junior Boks know what to expect from the South Americans.

“They get their energy from the maul and the breakdown, so we will have to be competitive in those areas to deny them the momentum and energy they want,” said Nhleko.

“Our intensity must be matched by good execution; we want to create opportunities and showcase our attacking capabilities.”

Junior Springbok team to face Argentina in Cape Town:

15. Michail Damon

14. Joel Leotlela

13. Jurenzo Julius

12. Phillip-Albert van Niekerk

11. Litelihle Bester

10. Tyloor Sefoor

9. Asad Moos

8. Tiaan Jacobs

7. JF van Heerden

6. Sibabalwe Mahashe

5. Jaco Grobbelaar

4. Thomas Dyer

3. Zachary Porthen (captain)

2. Ethan Bester

1. Ruan Swart

Replacements

16. Juan Smal

17. Liyema Ntshanga

18. Casper Badenhorst

19. Bathobele Hlekani

20. Divan Fuller

21. Hassiem Pead

22. Bruce Sherwood

23. Ezekiel Ngobeni

Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko has tweaked the starting fifteen for Thursday’s World Rugby U20 Championship encounter with Argentina in Stellenbosch by making five changes to the run-on side that started in the win over Fiji.

Thursday’s Pool C clash at the Danie Craven Stadium will kick off at 19h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

The inclusion of Bruce Sherwood (fullback) and Phillip-Albert van Niekerk (inside centre) are the changes in the backline, in place of Michail Damon, who will sit out this clash, and Josh Boulle, who has been included on the bench.

Amongst the forwards, Thabang Mphafi moves from No 7 flanker to the other side of the scrum to play in the No 6 jersey where he replaces Sibabalwe Mahashe, who in turn moves to the replacement bench.

Elsewhere in the starting pack, Jaco Grobbelaar is set to make his debut at lock in place of Bathobele Hlekani, who will start at flanker. Meanwhile, Nhleko has opted for a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench in anticipation of a huge battle up front with the powerful Argentine pack.

“When we faced them two months ago in Australia, as well as during a strong first-half showing against England on Saturday (in Athlone), Argentina displayed their impressive forward power, so we have to be prepared to deal with that,” said Nhleko.

Nhleko explained the variations to the match 23: “Whilst we wanted to keep the spine of the team intact, we must manage the load of the players sensibly because this is a demanding tournament due to the short turnaround time between matches and being adaptable in different circumstances.

“I am pleased for Jaco who missed the Australian tour with injury and his selection, coupled with the other tweaks, are part of the process to freshen up the team and also adapting to how we want to play against different opposition.

“We have a hardworking squad who are all contributing positively even when not playing. They are eager to continue with their learning, growth, and togetherness as a group.”

Junior Springbok team to face Argentina in Stellenbosch:

15 Bruce Sherwood
14 Joel Leotlela
13 Jurenzo Julius
12 Phillip-Albert van Niekerk
11 Litelihle Bester
10 Liam Koen
9 Asad Moos
8 Tiaan Jacobs
7 Bathobele Hlekani  
6 Thabang Mphafi  
5 JF van Heerden
4 Jaco Grobbelaar
3 Zachary Porthen (captain)
2 Luca Bakkes
1 Ruan Swart

Replacements
16 Ethan Bester
17 Liyema Ntshanga
18 Casper Badenhorst
19 Thomas Dyer
20 Keanu Coetsee
21 Sibabalwe Mahashe
22 Tylor Sefoor
23 Joshua Boulle

The Junior Springboks have included three uncapped players, namely hooker Luca Bakkes, flyhalf Liam Koen and outside back Likhona Finca, in their match day squad for their World Rugby Under-20 opening match against Fiji at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. The encounter kicks off at 19h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Bakkes will make his run-on debut and packs down in the front row between props Ruan Swart and Zachary Porthen, the Junior Bok captain, while Finca is set to make his debut off the bench should he be sent on as an outside back replacement. Koen will wear the No 10 jersey.

Otherwise, the rest of the Junior Boks have a settled look with the rest of the starting line-up and replacement bench consisting of players who participated in the recent SANZAAR Under-20 Rugby Championship in Queensland, Australia.

The starting line-up has five changes and a positional switch from the run-on side that beat Argentina in the last Rugby Championship match at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland, while there are several tweaks among the reserves.

Apart from Bakkes’ inclusion in the front row in place of Juan Smal, there is also a change at No 4 lock, with Thomas Dyer sitting out because of a niggle and the versatileBathobele Hlekani moves from the side of the scrum to form the lock partnership with JF van Heerden.

Thabang Mphafi, who played off the bench against Argentina U20s, fills Hlekani’s position at No 7 flank, with Siba Mahashe (No 6) and Tiaan Jacobs (No 8) the rest of the loose forwards.

Liam Koen also debuts as the playmaker and he partners scrumhalf Asad Moos in a new-look halfback pairing.

The only other backline change sees Michail Damon in the fullback position, in place of Bruce Sherwood who donned the No 15 jersey in their previous match.

Junior Bok coach Bafana Nhleko said the team has worked hard over the past week and worked on the lessons from the Rugby Championship in Australia, and they are ready to meet the challenge of Fiji on Saturday.

“We had a good holding camp in Stellenbosch last week and, since our move to our tournament base in Green Point on Tuesday, the focus has been on fine-tuning preparations,” Nhleko said.

Fiji come into the tournament as a well-oiled combination because of their recent success in the Oceania tournament over fellow Pacific neighbours Tonga, Moana Pasifika and Samoa.

“Fiji are a team with threats all round the park, big strong boys with excellent balls skills and dangerous with ball in hand. You need to be on it for 80 minutes, concentration wise, to deal with their threats.

“For us, it’s about excelling in our fundamentals, maintaining our strengths around playing from set piece and being in a position to make the right decisions when there are opportunities. The contact area behaviours will be key on both sides of the ball.” Nhleko said.

The match is the first of three Pool C matches for the SA Under 20s, whose other group games are against Argentina and England.

Meanwhile, the squad also had to make three replacements because of recent injuries. Prop Reno Hirst, lock Adam de Waal and fullback JC Marsh will all miss the Championship through injury.

Hirst hurt his knee; De Waal has been ruled out with a hip injury while concussion means Mars will miss at least the first two matches. Their replacements are Herman Lubbe (prop, DHL WP), Jaco Grobbelaar (lock, Vodacom Bulls) and Hassiem Pead (fullback, DHL WP).

“It’s unfortunate when injuries happen especially for guys like Adam and Reno, who worked so hard (from previous injuries) to give themselves a shot at the competition, but it is part of the game, we wish them a speedy recovery,” said Nhleko.

“JC could still feature later in the competition and potentially, has next year as well. In the same breath, it’s great to welcome Hassiem back to the squad and Jaco, who missed the Australia tour due to injury - congratulations to both and we are excited to see their growth.” 

Junior Boks team vs Fiji, Saturday, 29 June at the Cape Town Stadium:

15 Michail Damon

14 Joel Leotlela

13 Jurenzo Julius

12 Joshua Boulle

11 Litelihle Bester

10 Liam Koen

9 Asad Moos

8 Tiaan Jacobs

7 Thabang Mphafi

6 Sibabalwe Mahashe

5 JF van Heerden

4 Bathobele Hlekani

3 Zachary Porthen (captain)

2 Luca Bakkes

1 Ruan Swart

Replacements

16 Juan Smal

17 Liyema Ntshanga

18 Casper Badenhorst

19 Keanu Coetsee

20 Divan Fuller

21 Ezekiel Ngobeni

22 Tylor Sefoor

23 Likhona Finca

The Junior Springbok squad for the forthcoming World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Cape Town was announced on Friday, with Zachary Porthen – one of five players who will feature in the tournament for a second time – named as the captain of the team.

Apart from Porthen – who will pack down at prop – the other players who played in the tournament on home soil last year areJF van Heerden (lock),Asad Moos (scrumhalf),Jurenzo Julius (centre) andLitelihle Bester(wing).

Junior Bok coachBafana Nhleko acknowledged the difficulty in finalizing the 30-man squad due to the high level of commitment and desire shown by the entire training group.

“We had to make some tough decisions to choose what we as coaches believe would be the best selection for the competition,” Nhleko explained.

“I commend all the guys who have been part of the journey thus far and the sacrifices made, but from hereon, the focus will be towards building cohesion within the squad.

“We are excited for the challenge that lies ahead, the players are keen to create their own story and we can only take confidence from the work that the group has put in.”

The training squad reconvened this week to begin their preparations since their return from Brisbane last month, where they participated in the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship arranged by SANZAAR.

Nhleko said: “That tournament gave us an opportunity to play in three very tough, competitive matches, presented us with key learnings and areas to work on, but we also grew as a group. We are keen to keep driving good behaviours and build on the positive aspects of our performances.”

The Junior Boks are grouped in Pool C with Fiji, Argentina, and England. France will defend the title they won in Cape Town last year, and the SA U20s will look to improve on their bronze medal from 2023.

The tournament kicks off on 29 June in Cape Town at DHL Stadium and Athlone Stadium, with subsequent pool match days scheduled for 4 and 9 July. The playoffs, including the semi-finals for the top four sides, will be staged on 14 July, with the final and ranking matches on 19 July.

The Junior Boks will start their campaign on Saturday, 29 June against Fiji in the DHL Stadium, followed by pool games against Argentina on 4 July (Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch) and England on 9 July (Athlone Stadium).

Tickets for the world event are priced at R35 for children 18 years old and younger, and R75 for adults and are available fromTicketmaster, with admission including three encounters at every venue.

Junior Springbok squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship:

Props:Casper Badenhorst (Vodacom Bulls), Liyema Ntshanga, (Toyota Cheetahs), Reno Hirst (Fidelity ADT Golden Lions), Zachary Porthen (captain, DHL Western Province), Ruan Swart (Vodacom Bulls).

Hookers:Ethan Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luca Bakkes (DHL Western Province), Juan Smal (Vodacom Bulls).

Locks:Adam de Waal (DHL Western Province), JF van Heerden (Vodacom Bulls), Thomas Dyer (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Loose forwards:Batho Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Divan Fuller (DHL Western Province), Keanu Coetsee (Vodacom Bulls), Sibabalwe Mahashe (Fidelity ADT Golden Lions), Thabang Mphafi (Fidelity ADT Golden Lions), Tiaan Jacobs (Biarritz).

Scrumhalves:Asad Moos (DHL Western Province), Ezekiel Ngobeni (DHL Western Province).

Flyhalves:Liam Koen (Vodacom Bulls), Tylor Sefoor (Toyota Cheetahs).

Centres:Bruce Sherwood (DHL Western Province), Joshua Boulle (DHL Western Province), Jurenzo Julius (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Philip-Albert van Niekerk (Vodacom Bulls).

Outside backs:JC Mars (DHL Western Province), Joel Leotlela (DHL Western Province & SA Sevens), Litelihle Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Likhona Finca (Fidelity ADT Golden Lions), Michail Damon (Vodacom Bulls).

Junior Springbok head coach Bafana Nhleko praised the character and fighting spirit of the South African Under-20 team after they staged a successful comeback to beat Argentina in a pulsating U20 Rugby Championship match at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina, Queensland in Australia on Sunday.

The Junior Boks started strongly when Jurenzo Julius (centre) scored in the opening minute, but could not build momentum and Argentina hit back with three converted tries, all through left wing Franco Rossetto, to take a deserved halftime lead of 21-7.

Whatever Nhleko and his coaching staff said during the halftime break had the desired effect as the young South Africans hit back with a sensational second half display, adding three tries to their tally, all from tap-and-go penalties by Tiaan Jacobs, Casper Badenhorst and Zachary Porthen.

The game was a thrilling spectacle for the appreciative crowd and the lead changed hands a few times in a tense final 15 minutes. First the Junior Boks led 22-21 before stretching that to 27-21 before Argentina went ahead by 28-27 with five minutes left on the clock when Rossetto scored his fourth try, but a last-gasp penalty goal by Philip-Albert van Niekerk (flyhalf) after a series of forward onslaughts on the Pumitas’ try linesealed the 30-28 victory.

Afterwards, Nhleko was delighted that his team could secure their first win after coming short against Australia and a draw against New Zealand, who took the title after finishing the tournament with a 36-25 victory over Australia.

“The guys showed great character, belief and fighting spirit to shake off a disappointing first half,” said Nhleko.

“They showed glimpses of how we can play to eventually win the game against a good Argentina side. I must also praise the leadership group for the way they regrouped.

“The fighting spirit and refusal to give up is a great characteristic of the side and it bodes well for us as now that we head home to complete our preparations for the forthcoming World Rugby U20 Championship.”

The Junior Bok coach bemoaned a frustrating first half for the SA U20s, who allowed Argentina to snatch the momentum and initiative after a very good opening spell at the beginning of the match.

“We found ourselves in a very deep hole in the first half, frustratingly more from our own doing and we had to tweak a few things during halftime,” explained Nhleko.

“The players responded well as we managed the game better in the second half and imposed our systems on Argentina, which allowed us to build momentum from where we could score.

“In the previous two games, we were leading in the 75^th minute but ended on the wrong side and today, we were behind yet managed to find a way, which shows growth.

“Credit to Argentina though, they made it difficult for us especially in the lineouts, but I was happy with how stopped and handled their dangerous maul, which is their energy source.

“We will take some confidence from this result, but there is a lot of room for improvement. We will keep learning through our reviews and continue to work hard in training when we assemble again in Stellenbosch,” added Nhleko.

The Junior Boks return to South Africa on Monday and will regroup again at the end of the month in Stellenbosch to complete their preparations for the World Rugby U20 Championship, which will again be staged across venues in and around Cape Town.