Author: saru

The Junior Springboks made a winning start to their two-match series against the Georgian Under-20s with a hard-fought 38-29 victory on Sunday afternoon in the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi, after leading by 26-17 at halftime.

The SA U20s scored six tries and four conversions, while Georgia U20 managed to reply with five tries, while only two were converted.

Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote said afterwards his charges did well to pull though in the end, learning good lessons on the way.

“It was a fantastic hit out for us, considering that we played in conditions that we’re not used to,” said Foote from a cold Tbilisi.

“We started really well and then the penalty count started going against us, something we will have to look at from a disciplinary perspective.”

Although there were some lapses in concentration which led to the penalties and opening the door for Georgia to persist with the scoreboard pressure, Foote said he saw enough to be encouraged.

“We came here with objectives in mind, and that was to be really good in our set piece, and think our lineouts are starting to take shape; our mauls are looking good and our scrums as well,” said Foote.

“However, a big work-on for us is our maul defence and making sure we get our roles right – and that goes through every aspect, making sure we don’t get those big spikes, where we are really good, and then falling off our detail.

“The second thing to work on is to carry clean and make sure we are nice and clinical with our clean outs. Those are two things that really stood out for us.”

Foote was also pleased with his team’s defensive effort: “I thought our defence was good, the guys did well in general defensive play and I think we understood our game management when we had ball in hand, understanding when to kick and when not to kick.

“I am pleased and respectful of the effort in conditions that are foreign to us, against an opponent who are used to the conditions and being able to adapt its plan to make it difficult for us, especially when we got the yellow card in the second half.”

Playing in very cold conditions but in bright sunshine, the Junior Boks made a positive start and scored three tries – two of which were converted – inside the first 16 minutes for a 19-0 lead. Gilermo Mentoe (fullback), Chijindu Okonta (left wing), and Dominic Malgas (centre) each scored a try while Matthew Coetzee (flyhalf) added the extras.

However, lapses in concentration from the visitors and a determined fightback from the hosts, saw the Georgians claw their way back to 19-17 – with three tries by their forwards – with one minute to go in the opening stanza.

Junior Bok loose forward Divan Fuller, a member of last year’s SA U20 team, then managed to cross over for their fourth try on the stroke of halftime to enable his side to grab back the initiative and take a nine-point halftime lead.

A yellow card to Jaundré Schoeman in the 56^th minute did not help matters for the visitors as Georgia made the better start to the second half. They grew in confidence and had the Junior Boks in retreat, scoring two further tries and conversion to take a 33-29 lead with a quarter of an hour to go.

However, the Junior Boks’ replacements made a telling impact as they wrestled back the momentum to also score two tries and a conversion – by Cheswill Jooste and Xola Nyali – to secure a hard-fought but deserved win.

The two teams will meet on Friday in the second and last meeting of the series.

 

Scorers:

 Georgia U20 29 (17) – Tries: Shota Kheladze, Saba Laghedze (2), Beka Neparidze, Nugzar Kevkhisvili. Conversions: David Tsiklauri, Giorgi Sesiashvili.

Junior Springboks 38 (29) – Tries: Gilermo Mento, Chijindu Okonta, Dominic Malgas, Divan Fuller, Cheswill Jooste, Xola Nyali. Conversions: Matthew Coetzee (3), JT Kapank.

 

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

With one productive opposed training session already under their belts, the Junior Springboks are set to switch to game mode. They face their Georgia u20 counterparts in Tbilisi on Sunday afternoon, at 16:00.

The teams have agreed to allow rolling substitutions for their first meeting, which means the entire 30-man squad could get onto the field.

Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has named Thando Biyela (No 8), a former SA u18 representative, to lead the team on Sunday.

Foote said the Junior Boks will be eager to gauge their progress and skills against a Georgian side known for its physicality. Cold weather conditions are expected and that, too, could be a challenge for the tourists, who experienced freezing temperatures when they kicked off their tour on Wednesday afternoon with a live training session against the Lelo Saracens rugby club.

“We are looking forward to the challenge and to implement our game plan against a very physical opponent,” Foote said in a press statement.

“Our set piece, physicality, and kicking game are, of course, key elements of the South African way and DNA, so it would be nice to see how the boys adapt to the cold weather and implement the game plan.

“The cold conditions are quite an adjustment, but the group has taken it in their stride. We understand the prediction for Sunday could be as low as minus-six degrees, which would pose an interesting challenge considering we came from warm summer conditions in Stellenbosch.

“We cannot control the weather, but [we can determine our] our actions and attitude, and I think we are all doing a good job around that. Therefore, it will be important for us to be smart against the opposition, as they are accustomed to the local conditions.”

Foote said it is not just on the field of play that the tour offers value. He said he views the group’s off-field relationships as being just as important: “It’s not only about connecting on the field, which is very important, and we are constantly working on that.

“However, we are putting a lot of effort into getting to know each other off the field of play, stressing the importance of what the SA Rugby badge means for all of us and the people back home.

“We had a couple of team-building exercises, which are designed to strengthen togetherness, and it’s something we are constantly working on. It is great seeing the guys coming together as a group and experiencing the different environment and culture.”

The final match of the tour is scheduled for 15:00 on Friday, 28 February.

Junior Springbok team to face Georgia

15 Gilermo Mentoe
14 Cheswill Jooste
13 Dominic Malgas
12 Pieter van der Merwe
11 Chijindu Okonta
10 Matthew Coetzee
9 Zeke January
8 Thando Biyela (captain)
7 Yabo Ndzamela
6 Divan Fuller
5 Morne Venter
4 Henrich Theron
3 Tebogo Nkosi
2 HB Odendaal
1 Oliver Reid

Replacements

16 Sipo Mnebelele
17 Simphiwe Ngobese
18 Jean Erasmus
19 Riley Norton
20 Stephanus Linde
21 Batho Hlekani
22 Ceano Everson
23 JT Kapank
24 Ranon Fouche
25 Juandré Schoeman
26 Kuhle Mthimkhulu
27 Xola Nyali
28 Haashim Pead
29 Scott Nel
30 Siya Ndlozi

The Junior Springboks got their short tour of Georgia off to a good but cold start with a live training session against the Lelo Saracens club in Tbilisi on Wednesday afternoon.

The SA u20s have experienced sub-zero and snowy conditions since their arrival in the Georgian capital on Monday, but they are taking the freezing temperatures in their stride and went about undeterred with their preparations.

On Wednesday, the Junior Boks encountered snow – vastly different to the high temperatures at their base in Stellenbosch in recent weeks – when they left for the Lelo Saracens club.

The SA u20s had a good workout of about one hour against the club’s senior men’s team and afterwards, Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote said he could already see value in the tour.

“It was a nice hit out today and we are grateful for Lelo Saracens for hosting us in such a splendid way,” said Foote.

“It’s bitterly cold out here – probably minus two degrees when we left for the field – but that (the challenging weather conditions) is very good for our boys’ mentality, because it’s something we cannot control, unlike our preparations and our performances.”

Foote said the tour squad started with about 50 minutes of training in units (backs and forwards separately), performing live lineouts, scrums and mauls against their hosts, with the effort and performance of the youngsters leaving their coach a satisfied man afterwards.

“I was very impressed with our scrum efforts today,” said Foote.

“I thought our pack did well, and our lineout is obviously something that we focus on a lot, alongside our mauls and maul defence. The players also did some set-piece defence, attack, and some skills work, and then we got together for our team rugby session.

“We are also working hard on our execution, which is another big focus area for us, making sure we all know our roles and what good execution looks like. All our coaches, Melusi Mthethwa and Lumumba Currie (assistant coaches), as well as Johan Ackermann (coaching consultant), did a great job.”

The time together in a foreign environment is proving to be a good factor for the Junior Boks as they continue with their preparations for the rest of the season.

Following Wednesday’s live training session against the club side, the Junior Boks will now turn their attention to the two outings against their Georgian u20 counterparts.

“I couldn’t be prouder of how the management staff and players are getting together, and we really looking forward to our hit-out against the Georgian u20 side on Sunday, which we expect will be tough opposition,” said Foote.

“It’s been a good camp so far, we’ve trained hard in tough conditions and Thulani Nteta (strength and conditioning coach) is making us do some great fitness work, to make sure we are well conditioned.

“I feel we are getting our combinations right, as well as our game model. We got some work to do on our fifteen versus fifteen scenarios, but I really feel that we are making good progress.”

Rolling subs will be used in Sunday’s match against the Georgia u20s, which will allow Foote the opportunity to give all the members of the touring squad game time.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

A squad of 30 players will depart on Sunday for Georgia, where the Junior Springboks will kick off their 2025 season with a short tour. Featuring three matches, the tour forms an integral part of the national u20 group’s preparations for the forthcoming season.

The Junior Boks will play three matches during their two-week stay – a club fixture against Lelo Saracens, which will be followed by two internationals against Georgia u20.

Their first match, against the club side, takes place on Wednesday, 19 February, with the two internationals against Georgia u20 earmarked for Sunday, 23 February, and Friday, 28 February. The South Africa u20 side will fly home on 1 March.

Following the Georgia tour, the Junior Boks are set to play in the 2025 editions of the Sanzaar-organised U20 Rugby Championship (April and May) and the World Rugby u20 Championship (June and July).

The touring squad was selected from the ranks of the SA Rugby u20 Academy training group, which is currently working hard in Stellenbosch.

After announcing the squad on Monday, Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote said: “We are very happy with where the squad is at the moment and grateful for the hit-out against Maties (last week), and the training exercise against Ikeys earlier today. Following these two training games, it’s, then, a case of fine-tuning our planning for Georgia.”

Foote said his players are on track with their overall preparations for the international season: “This block is all about getting our set piece, kicking game, and skills execution where they need to be. All the coaches have done a really good job in this respect, and I am grateful for all their hard work.”

Reflecting on the selection of the Junior Bok tour squad, Foote said: “We looked at the squad and we are getting the balance right and are grateful that we could put such a talented group together.

“There are still several players who haven’t been considered because they are either in the mix for their Vodacom URC franchises or the Blitzboks, or are out injured, but I think for now we are comfortable with the squad.”

Among the players not available for selection are Jaco Williams, Gino Cupido. and JC Mars.

Regarding the leadership of the group, Foote said: “Riley Norton did a good job for us in this respect against Maties, with Haashim Pead assisting him.

“Today’s session against UCT was another good opportunity for the group to test themselves and once we are on our way, we will turn our focus towards Georgia.

“It is great to see the hard work of the staff is really paying dividends in terms of our performances.”

Junior Springbok Tour Squad to Georgia

Props: Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Ranon Fouché (Vodacom Bulls), Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Tebogo Nkosi (Toyota Cheetahs), Oliver Reid (DHL WP).

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

Locks: Kuhle Mthimkhulu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Riley Norton (DHL WP), Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Morné Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Loose forwards: Divan Fuller (DHL WP), Batho Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Stephanus Linde (Toyota Cheetahs), Yabo Ndzamela (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Xola Nyali (DHL WP), Thando Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions).

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

Flyhalves: Matthew Coetzee (Fidelity ADT Lions), JT Kapank (Vodacom Bulls).

Centres: Scott Nel (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Dominic Malgas (DHL WP), Pieter van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls).

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

Match schedule

Wed, 19 Feb, 15:00 – Junior Boks vs Lelo Saracens
Sun, 23 Feb, 16:00 = Junior Boks vs Georgia u20
Fri, 28 Feb, 15:00 – Junior Boks vs Georgia u20

The Junior Springbok season will kick off in earnest on 26 January, with a big group of players being invited to the first SA Rugby u20 Academy camp of 2025, to be held at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) until 16 February.

The u20 assembly follows 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 the SAS in November and December, with the camps laying the foundation for the identification and preparation of the next generation of Junior Boks.

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 a busy international programme. The Junior Springboks will be selected from the wider Academy squad.

This year, the Junior Boks will compete in the second instalment of the Sanzaar-organised U20 Rugby Championship for southern hemisphere teams in May. That will be followed by the World Rugby U20 Championship, which will be played 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. It will be confirmed once all arrangements have been finalised.

Turning his attention to the U20 Academy camp, Foote explained that 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,” Foote said.

“We are excited to get the group together again and are 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 the year is still in its infancy and the passage to the World Rugby Under20 Championship, to be staged in the middle of the year, is not closed to players who have, up until 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).

Junior Springboks‘ coach Kevin Foote has expressed his satisfaction with the first of two SA Rugby u19 Academy camps, which ended in Stellenbosch on Sunday. The second camp kicks off this weekend.

Foote and his coaching staff worked with a group of 48 players at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, with the camp laying the foundation for the identification and preparation of the next generation of Junior Springboks.

The second camp, which starts on Sunday and also runs for two weeks until 21 December, will be hosted at the same Stellenbosch venue, whereafter the 2025 SA Rugby Academy programme will commence in the new year. A host of new players have been added to the squad.

Looking back on the first camp, Foote said he was delighted with the preparations and interactions between the new-look Junior Boks’ coaching and management group and the players.

“The focus of the two camps is to build trust and pay attention to performance, and I thought that the first camp did a good job in laying that foundation,” he said.

“We emphasised building trust with the players and the local rugby communities, such as Stellenbosch, Boland, and the surrounding areas.

“We are very grateful to Boland, who allowed us to use their stadium on Saturday for a North vs South training match in Wellington, and we are thankful to the local rugby community who came to support the players.”

From a technical aspect, the objectives of the camp were to focus on the fundamentals and set phases, Foote said. “We want to play fast and be physical, and in doing that, tap into our South African rugby DNA, and develop our strengths as a group,” he explained.

“There is a lot of excitement among the players for this wonderful chance to attend a national rugby training programme and they do understand this is a huge opportunity to, in some way, contribute towards the incredible story of South African rugby.”

The following players were not part of the first camp: Rouwan Mitchell, Ulrich van der Merwe, Tebogo Nkosi, Xabiso Mkiva, Jacobus Fourie, Riley Norton, Arno van der Merwe, Abri van der Westhuysen, Risima Khosa, Jeffwinn Wesso, Ceano Everson, Chris Horak, Vusi Moyo, Matthew Coetzee, Yaqeen Ahmed, Janco Purchase, Gino Cupido, Alzeadon Felix, Cheswill Jooste and Erich Visser.

Johan Ackermann, who will assist the Junior Boks in a coaching consultancy role next year, is expected to join the second camp from next week in Stellenbosch.

SA Rugby U19 Academy Squad – Second Camp in Stellenbosch

Props: Ranon Fouché (Vodacom Bulls), Rouwan Mitchell (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Christoff Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ulrich van der Merwe (Fidelity ADT Lions), Tebogo Nkosi (Toyota Cheetahs), Ali Thiam (Vodacom Bulls).

Hookers: Jaundre Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), HB Odendaal (Fidelity ADT Lions), Xabiso Mkiva (DHL Western Province), Stefan Venter (Toyota Cheetahs).

Locks: Jacobus Fourie (Vodacom Bulls), Kuhle Mthimkhulu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neil Hansen (Fidelity ADT Lions), Morne Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions), Danio Botha (DHL Western Province), Riley Norton (DHL Western Province), Arno van der Merwe (Toyota Cheetahs).

Loose forwards: Abri van der Westhuysen (Vodacom Bulls), Batho Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Yabo Ndzamela (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Risima Khosa (Fidelity ADT Lions), Divan Fuller (DHL Western Province), Xola Nyali (DHL Western Province), Stephanus Linde (Toyota Cheetahs), Jeffwinn Wesso (SA Rugby Sevens).

Scrumhalves: Zeke January (Vodacom Bulls), Juan Loots (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ceano Everson (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Flyhalves: Chris Horak (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vusi Moyo (Fidelity ADT Lions), Matthew Coetzee (Fidelity ADT Lions), Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Western Province).

Centres: Daniel van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls), Janco Purchase (Vodacom Bulls), Albie Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Tirhani Masondo (Fidelity ADT Lions), Gino Cupido (DHL Western Province), Dominic Malgas (DHL Western Province)

Outside backs: Scott Nel (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jody Schambreel (Fidelity ADT Lions), Gilermo Mentoe (Fidelity ADT Lions), Siya Ndlozi (DHL Western Province), Alzeadon Felix (Toyota Cheetahs), Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), Erich Visser (Toyota Cheetahs), Chijindu Okonta (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

SA Rugby confirmed on Friday that 58 players have been invited to the u17 Elite Player Development (EPD) Camp, which kicks off at Boland Landbou after the end-of-year exams, running from 28 November to 5 December.

All of the invited players are part of SA Rugby’s EPD system and are still eligible to play for the SA Schools and SA u18 sides next year.

Apart from gym and field sessions, the players will also work on skills development, and strength and conditioning, under a group of specialist coaches.

Overseen by Herman Masimla, SA Rugby’s Senior Manager of Development in the new Participation and Development Department, the players will be exposed to many different coaches, including James Winstanley, Lwazi Zangqa, Cobus van Dyk, and Kathleho Lynch, all of whom were involved with the SA u18s over the past few seasons.

Ian Schwartz, the General Manager of Participation and Development, commented: “We are excited to bring together these talented young players for the u17 EPD camp, which is a crucial step in their rugby development.

“This camp will not only give them the opportunity to showcase their skills but also to continue honing the fundamentals necessary to succeed at the next level.

“Our commitment to long-term player development is a key focus, and we are confident that this group of players will form a strong foundation for the future of South African rugby.”

SA Rugby U17 EPD Squad

Bulls: Roal Kruger, Zirk Meyer, Albert Smit, Stefan McDonald, Nicolaas Grobler, Ruben Groenewald, Christiaan de Wet, Junaide Pasensie, Junaide Stuart, Luan van den Berg, Thabiso Simelane.
Border: Robert-John Osonkwu.
Eastern Province: Ukekwe Ikechukwe, Jayden Brewis, Damien Witbooi.
Cheetahs: Toriq Schambreel, Ethan Adams.
Lions: Chinedu Amadi, Jarrel Mbuyi, Andre Poulton, Brad Brown, Jeandre Uithaler.
Griquas: Clinton Brits.
Pumas: Vaughn van Zyl.
Sharks: Lian Terblanche, Liyema Nela, Lwandile Mlaba, Sambesiwe Ndamase, Lizwe Mtetwa, Andile Ndlovu, Zekhethelo Siyaya, Jadrian Afrikaner, Wasi Vyambwera, Raphael Ajibade.
SWD: Adrian Smith, Jacobus de Villiers, Kai Pratt, Ruan Swart, Keenan Myners.
Western Province: Henry Rudder, Jayden Brits, Dante Christians, Briint Davids, Jordan Jooste, Jayden Joubert, Tristan Joubert, Francois van der Merwe, Quinton Potgieter, Zheemo Isaacs, Markus Muller, Jeerahno Jagers, Luchwayito Mbaliswano, Altus Rabe, Gert Kemp, Travis Pheiffer, Josh Neill, Randal-John Davids, Sango Zangqa.

SA Rugby and R10 confirmed an exciting new sponsorship and competition structure involving the Junior Springbok Women that will boost the exposure of the game at junior level across the African continent.

The Junior Springbok Women will pit themselves play against Tunisia, Uganda and the San Clemente Rhinos in three matches in the international R10 African u20 Women’s Series at Paul Roos Gymnasium’s Markötter Stadium, starting on Monday.

The 28-player Junior Springbok Women’s squad was also confirmed on Thursday. They will be coached by Flash Malinga, with Mandisa Williams, Eddie Myners and Zenay Jordaan assisting him.

The squad was finalised after the completion of the u20 Women’s Week played in Johannesburg. Western Province, who finished as one of two unbeaten teams at the week, are best represented with nine players.

Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, hailed the announcement of the sponsorship and the announcement of the SA u20 squad as an exciting new chapter in the history of women’s rugby in South Africa.

“Our Junior Springbok Women have only ever played in once-off matches, and for them to be competing in a series with three other teams is really special,” said Oberholzer.

“We know the value of having a healthy player development pipeline and this will definitely be a big positive to our women’s programme.

“I’d also like to thank R10 for their sponsorship of the R10 African U20 Women’s Series, which will also feature Uganda, Tunisia and the San Clemente Rhinos.

“It was clear at the U20 Women’s Week in Johannesburg that there was something bigger to play for and the quality of the rugby went up a notch or two.

“Without investment from sponsors, our game will struggle and in this regard we’re very grateful to R10 for getting involved in South African rugby.”

Andreea Trufasu, CEO of Rugby Tens (R10), said: “At R10, we pride ourselves as an organization that meaningfully contributes to equality in sport.

“We are thankful for the collaboration with SA Rugby to make this international event possible for the u20 ladies, which is a demographic often under-resourced yet critical to the development of national teams.”

The opening round of fixtures of the R10 African U20 Women’s Series on Monday 30 September will feature San Clemente Rhinos taking on Tunisia at 10h00, and South Africa will face Uganda at 12h00.

On Friday 4 October, the San Clemente Rhinos will play Uganda in the first match, followed by the Junior Bok Women against Tunisia.

The final round takes place on Tuesday 8 October, when Uganda take on Tunisia, before the Junior Bok Women and the San Clemente Rhinos will contest the final match of the tournament.

Junior Springbok Women squad:

Backs: Donëy Filies, Leigh Fortuin (Western Province), Kwanga Majebe, Tiarisha Maritz, Naima Hlatshwayo (Blue Bulls), Robyn Strydom (Free State), Lidene Kruger (Griquas), Jane Mulder (Golden Lions), Sisonke Hewu, Charlize Jacobs (Eastern Province), Melissa Younie (Sharks), Sindisiwe Mbonja, Lilitha Vakalisa (Border).

Forwards: Anuschka Ekron, Anushka Groenewald, Sarah Krone, Arzydia Komar, Bronishia Hess, Kelly Mckenna, Sesona Mbengo (Western Province), Sinathi Mzamo, Emihle Mayitshe (Border), Dembe Mbengeni, Sinoxolo Soga (Eastern Province), Dineo Ndhlovu, Abigail Smit (Blue Bulls), Micky Kapa, Sinothile Bhengu (Sharks).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

In a pleasing display of the country’s depth at age-group level, South Africa’s two teams that participated in the recent Under-18 International Series, the SA u18 and the SA u18 ‘A’ sides, delivered impressive performances to finish the annual series unbeaten.

The SA u18s only played two matches because of the withdrawal of France, following the tragic incident prior to the start of the tournament when one of their players was swept out to see at Cape Point, while the SA u18 ‘A’ side’s involvement was reduced to one game to allow the three remaining international participants the opportunity to still play their three planned matches.

Both South African teams gave outstanding performances against quality opposition, which augurs well for the future of the Junior Springboks, the next step in SA Rugby’s player development pathway.

The SA u18 ‘A’ outfit overcame a gritty Georgia 20-3 in their encounter at Stellenberg High School in Cape Town, while the SA U18s defeated Ireland 38-26 at Paarl Gimnasium, and followed that up by beating England 39-14 at Paarl Boys’ High.

James Winstanley, the SA U18 coach, also used the two matches to implement a proper rotation system so that every player in the squad had an opportunity to play. Despite making wholesale changes for their final match, the young South Africans comfortably gave their best performance as they dismantled England, who traditionally are one the powerhouses of age-group rugby.

Winstanley was full of praise for the team after their winning performance on against England on Tuesday. The SA U18’s had their opponents under pressure throughout the game, displaying controlled aggression upfront and skilful handling and running amongst the backs.

“Our series concluded with a dominant performance against England as we addressed the shortfalls from our previous game against Ireland,” said Winstanley.

“I am pleased with the set pieces which allowed us to apply pressure with and without the ball, and control both the gain line and flow of the game.

“We achieved our goals of pressure through the kicking game but not at the expense of identifying space and opportunities, ensuring that we were strong in all areas.”

Winstanley was especially pleased with the amount of talent in the squad and praised the hard work behind the scenes by the coaching and management staff.

“We are blessed to have a strong leadership group which was complimented by a depth of talent within the squad,” he said. “Our outcome goals, as team management, was to create a gold standard experience for the boys and I would like to thank the coaches and support team for making this happen.

“The overarching aim of exposing the players to international rugby with a view to preparing them for the Junior Bok pathway was also successful. SA Rugby has really supported us and given us every resource needed to succeed and I would like to thank them for making a special series possible.”

Lively speedster Cheswill Jooste scored two tries against England on Tuesday to boost his overall tally to three in two games. SA U18 flyhalf Vusi Moyo contributed on 13 points from three penalty goals and two conversions.

Amongst the SA U18 forwards, Sethu Mnebelele (hooker) led from the front, while lock Riley Norton with loose forwards Reuben Kruger and Josh Neill also made telling contributions on the field, along with backs Yaqeen Ahmed (flyhalf), Markus Muller, Pieter van der Merwe (midfielders), Khuti Rasivhaga, Zekhethelo Siyaya and Akha Boqwana (outside backs).

South Africa finished the Under-18 International Series on a high and undefeated note when they beat England 39-14 at Paarl Boys’ High School on Monday afternoon, adding to their impressive victory over Ireland last Friday at Paarl Gimnasium.

Last Monday, the SA u18 ‘A’ team beat Georgia at Stellenberg High School, meaning the South Africans were unbeaten during the three-match series.

On Tuesday, the SA u18s led 17-7 at half-time, and despite playing against a strong breeze in the second half, kicked on to outplay England convincingly in front of an appreciative crowd in Paarl. In the end, South Africa scored five tries, four conversions and two penalty goals, while England could only reply with two converted tries.

The hosts used the generous breeze to good effect in the first half, pinning the visitors deep in their own half with an accurate kicking game. However, they were guilty of committing too many transgressions, leading to several penalties, and as a result, they struggled at times to get out of their half.

With some impactful replacements in the second stanza, South Africa were able to pull away from England by crossing the tryline three times to finish the game strongly and securing a second win.

SA flanker Josh Neill had a good come on the side of the scrum, while Riley Norton (lock) continued with his industrious form as he also took over the captaincy later in the game from Sethu Mnebelele. Amongst the backs, Vusi Moyo (flyhalf) and Akha Boqwana (fullback) delivered solid performances in the green and gold.

Moyo opened the scoring when he landed a long-range penalty goal from the middle of the field, and 10 minutes later South Africa had their first try on the board through right-wing Khuthadzo Rasivhaga. Moyo converted to take the lead to 10-0.

But just two minutes later, England replied with their only try of the half via scrumhalf George Newman, who dotted down over next to poles, and with flyhalf James Linegar slotting the extras, the score was 10-7 halfway through the first half.

The SA U18s continued to apply pressure through their hard-working forwards, and it was no surprise when No 8 Reuben Kruger barged over for their second try. Moyo was again on target with the angled conversion to stretch the halftime advantage to 17-7.

After the resumption, Moyo maintained the scoreboard pressure by slotting his second penalty goal of the afternoon to hand the hosts a comfortable 20-7 lead with more than a half hour of play remaining.

SA U18 coach James Winstanley then sent on a fresh midfield combination of Markus Muller and Pieter van der Merwe with 20 minutes remaining, adding more firepower to the attack against a fading English defence.

Fleetfooted Cheswill Jooste went over for SA’s third try with just over 10 minutes remaining when he collected a pinpoint grubber kick from replacement flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, increasing the lead to a solid 25-7.

However, England gathered some momentum when their No 8 and captain, Connor Treacey, went over under the sticks for their second converted try to make it 25-14, giving the visitors some hope.

It was not to be though as the SA U18s hit back from the restart when Jooste scored his second try of the day when he showed his dazzling pace out wide to outstrip the English defence after some good handling by the South Africans in the red zone.

Replacement scrumhalf Elgernon Meyer sealed the deal a few minutes later with another good try, from a deft chip kick into space, to put the result beyond England at 39-14.

Scorers:

South Africa 39 (17) – Tries: Cheswill Jooste (2), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, Reuben Kruger, Ellie Meyer. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (2), Yaqeen Ahmed (2). Penalties: Moyo (2). England 14 (7) – Tries: George Newman, Connor Treacey. Conversions: James Linegar (2).