Tereska Kabuika of the Boland Dames (Photo: SA Rugby)
Eighteen of the best young women rugby players in the country assembled in Stellenbosch on Monday for a 10-day Under-20 alignment camp that will not only expose the players to highly skilled coaching in the national set-up, but also put steps into place for the Junior Springbok Women’s international matches against the USA U20s in July.
The group will be coached in an Academy based set-up, with various SA Rugby Mobi-Unit coaches involved with the squad during this camp.
A number of the invited players have already played senior rugby, including EP Queens flyhalf Julene Haas and Sanlam Boland Dames flyer Tereske Kabuika, who finished the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League with six tries to her name.
Stellenbosch University player Sesethu Dumke is also amongst a group of attendees who participated in this year’s FNB Varsity Cup for Women.
The group also include players from last year’s South African U18 Girls squad that played two internationals against the Netherlands in December, and an U19 squad that assembled at the same time.
Louis Koen, Senior Talent Manager in SA Rugby’s High-Performance Department, indicated in December that players from these two groups will progress into the Junior Springbok Women squad in 2026 and this assembly puts action to those words.
PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 03: Markus Muller of Paarl Gimnasium 1st Xv tackled by Francois Van De Merwe of Paarl Boys’ High School 1st Xv during the Sportsmans Warehouse Premier Interschools match between Paarl Boys High and Paarl Gimnasium at Faure Street Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Paarl, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
South African rugby is showing encouraging early outcomes following the introduction of the lowered tackle-height laws, with initial data indicating a positive shift in reducing the severity and long-term impact of tackle-related catastrophic head, neck and spine injuries, SA Rugby announced on Thursday.
These laws, applied in South African rugby, are supported by 17 years of tackle-event data on serious and catastrophic injuries.
Clint Readhead, SA Rugby’s General Manager: Medical, said early insights into changing player behaviour and injury patterns locally point towards meaningful progress in key safety areas.
“Most notably, there has been a reduction in permanent or life-altering injuries among both tacklers and ball carriers,” said Readhead.
“Among tacklers, most traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and acute spinal cord injuries (ASCI) were classified as ‘near misses’, with players avoiding permanent harm, an improvement on historical trends where such injuries more often had lasting consequences.”
Banks Yantolo, General Manager of Referees at SA Rugby, said: “We’ve spent a lot of time working with our Referee Panels and Societies to ensure these laws are applied strictly and consistently – that’s what makes them effective. If we don’t manage this properly, we limit their ability to shift player behaviour and deliver lasting player safety benefits.”
According to Dr Wayne Viljoen, SA Rugby’s Senior Manager Rugby Safety, improved player behaviour, particularly among ball carriers, is a key positive trend.
“More ball carriers are entering contact in upright positions rather than excessively low or horizontal forward-bent postures, which have been strongly linked to increased injury risk,” said Dr Viljoen.
“This shift aligns directly with the intent of the South African variation of tackle-law changes and supports safer outcomes for both tacklers and ball carriers.
“Where permanent injuries have occurred in tacklers, these have largely been linked to technical errors rather than the laws themselves. These include poor head placement (e.g. head on the wrong side) and unsafe contact points such as knee-height tackles.
“This reinforces the need for continued coaching on safe technique—specifically targeting the ‘safe zone’ of the ball carrier, between mid-torso and mid-thigh, while avoiding the knees. Initial data also highlights, that lower tackles performed within the new tackle-height framework was associated with better injury outcomes.”
Data shows that injury numbers remain low for ball carriers. Serious cases were typically linked to illegal high tackles, low ball-carry positions, atypical scenarios, or factors unrelated to the law changes, again underlining the importance of adherence.
Deon van Blommestein, SA Rugby’s Senior Manager for Community Referees, added: “While the trajectory is positive, consistent application across all levels of the game remains a work in progress. Embedding these changes across players, coaches and referees nationwide will take time.
“We would like to urge match officials at all levels of the community game to step up and lead this change. Set the standard early and make it clear that illegal actions won’t be tolerated. If we don’t, players won’t adapt – and we’ll be fighting a losing battle.”
Dr Viljoen urged all relevant stakeholders to visit the Tackle-Height Resource, complete the Tackle-Height Change Education Module, and review BokSmart 8.
“These are essential to ensure the laws are coached, refereed, and implemented properly,” he said.
“In summary, early evidence strongly supports the direction of the lowered tackle-height laws. Improved behaviours, reduced injury severity, and clearer identification of risk factors provide a strong foundation for making rugby safer. Continued focus on strict law application, quality coaching, and sound player technique will be key to sustaining this progress.”
Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote (Photo: SA Rugby)
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote on Wednesday named a sizeable training squad of 45 players, including four who attended the recent Springbok alignment camp, for a two-week camp in Stellenbosch from 6 to 19 April in preparation for the 2026 edition of the Under‑20 Rugby Championship (TRCU20).
Riley Norton, who skippered the Junior Boks to the world title last year in Italy, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Kai Pratt, and Markus Muller all had a taste of the senior Springbok environment at the team’s first alignment camp of the year in Cape Town in March.
The Junior Bok training squad will be reduced to 31 players in two weeks for the third TRCU20, which will be staged in Gqeberha.
Hollywoodbets Sharks flyhalf Vusi Moyo, who is recovering from hip surgery, has also been included in the group for the first time this year. Although unlikely to feature in the TRCU20, he will continue his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Junior Bok medical team.
Meanwhile utility back Luan Giliomee, who recently made his international debut for the Blitzboks, has been named as a utility player. He is equally comfortable at fullback, where he made his Vodacom United Rugby Championship debut for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, and at flyhalf.
Vodacom Bulls wing Cheswill Jooste, who like Moyo was also a member of last year’s successful Junior Bok side, was not considered for this training camp due to his Vodacom URC commitments.
Alongside their daily field and gym sessions in Stellenbosch, the Junior Boks will take part in two training chukkas against the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in Wellington, with a similar training drill planned against Eastern Province.
Foote described the naming of the extended squad as another key step in the team’s build‑up toward the forthcoming U20TRC tournament. He noted that the recent tour to Georgia had been a critical part of their preparation, and that the Stellenbosch camp would sharpen their readiness further.
“Georgia gave us a great opportunity to play and grow together as a team, and to test our set-pieces against a formidable pack,” said Foote.
“Our objectives at this camp are to step up our fitness levels, physicality, and ball‑in‑play time.
“Playing southern hemisphere teams presents a different type of challenge. They produce far more ball‑in‑play time compared to the Georgians, who are heavily set‑piece orientated.”
Foote added that their focus on conditioning was largely shaped by lessons learned in last year’s tournament.
“Our experience in Gqeberha was that the surface can be soft underfoot, which led to several players cramping,” said the coach. “So, we want to ensure our fitness levels match how we intend to play, especially against teams who favour a fast‑paced game.”
The SANZAAR TRCU20 competition will feature the best young talent from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina, with the tournament kicking off on Freedom Day, 27 April, and the remaining match days scheduled for 3 and 9 May, respectively. All matches will be staged at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Junior Springbok training squad:
Props: Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Jooste (DHL Stormers), Cecil Parson (Lions); Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers), Kai Pratt (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luan van der Berg (Vodacom Bulls), Bongani Dlamini (Vodacom Bulls).
SANZAAR’s Rugby Championship U20 competition returns to the iconic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, when the best junior talent from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina converges on Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape at the end of April.
The southern hemisphere’s next generation of stars descend on the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole for the second successive year, with the action kicking off on Freedom Day, 27 April, followed by match days on 3 and 9 May as the teams step up their preparations for the Junior World Championship in Georgia in June and July.
Following last year’s tournament, the Junior Boks and New Zealand Under-20s went on to contest the final for the world crown with captain Riley Norton’s team going on to take gold for South Africa.
Tickets for the U20 Rugby Championship will be priced from only R35 per person per day for two matches, and will be sold exclusively by Ticketmaster – CLICK HERE.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said it was a feather in the cap of SA Rugby and the Eastern Cape to host the third instalment of this tournament for a second time.
“Last year’s event was a massive success, and we are thrilled that this tournament will be returning to Gqeberha,” said Oberholzer.
“The Eastern Cape has a rich rugby culture and a passionate fan base, and like last year we expect good crowds to come to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to see the four teams in action across three double-header match days.
“The combination of top-notch facilities at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and superb accommodation and training options, coupled with the enthusiastic support of the people of the Eastern Cape will make this another memorable experience for everyone involved.”
SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said: “Following the success of the tournament in Gqeberha last year, SANZAAR is pleased to announce that the 2026 U20 Rugby Championship will again head to South Africa this year.
“Last year New Zealand retained the title with an exhilarating 48-45 win over the hosts South Africa.
“The third edition of this important Championship will again be played at the wonderful Nelson Mandela May Stadium in Gqeberha as Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa go head-to-head over three rounds.
“As in previous years the tournament will provide a vital pathway for up-and-coming rugby talent through exposure to essential international competition and provide development opportunities for the next generation of coaches, team management and match officials. SANZAAR sincerely thanks SA Rugby for its support of the Championship.”
It’s the second international rugby event headed to Gqeberha in the coming months after it was announced recently that the Springboks will kick off their 2026 season against the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, 20 June.
Kebotile Maake bursts through for the Junior Boks against Georgia u20, 27 February 2026 (Photo: SA Rugby)
The Junior Springboks concluded their short tour of Georgia with a 35-5 victory over their hosts on a cold and wet Friday afternoon in Tbilisi, with SA u20 head coach Kevin Foote praising the players’ resilience in the tough conditions.
The SA u20s, who won the first game 35-0 on Sunday, led 21-0 at the break and scored five tries to one by the Georgian u20s.
The tough conditions made handling very difficult, while the South Africans were also guilty of conceding too many penalties, with two players spending time in the sin-bin.
Yaqeen Ahmed contributed 15 points from a try and five conversions, which means that the Junior Bok flyhalf succeeded with all 10 of his conversions over the two matches.
Reflecting on the performance, Foote said the players showed a lot of character: “The conditions were tough with all the rain. Playing in Georgia is always difficult for different reasons, but I thought the guys showed a lot of maturity today.”
The Junior Boks were forced to be patient, as Georgia’s physical pack made possession difficult to come by. However, the South Africans were clinical when given the opportunity.
“We didn’t get a lot of possession, but when we did, we made use of it, especially in the first half,” Foote said.
Lindsey Jansen opened the scoring for the SA u20s after strong runs by the midfield pair of Ethan Adams and Markus Muller had set up play nicely for the speedster to finish.
He was followed over the whitewash by scrumhalf Hendré Schoeman before Zekhethelo Siyaya, who was impressive in the number 15 jersey on attack, scored their third converted try to give the Junior Boks a 21-0 lead at the break.
Georgia started the second half more determined, and the slippery conditions meant a lot of stop-start play as the players struggled with their handling.
The second half proved more abrasive and disjointed, which tested the team’s discipline and defensive resolve. Despite the pressure, the Junior Boks’ defence remained strong as they conceded only one try, which was the lone five-pointer scored by Georgia in the two matches.
Wing, Nika Khalvashi, crossed for the hosts’ only try shortly after the break, from a great cross-kick, but Ahmed and Risima Khosa added two more tries as the South Africans eased into a well-deserved away win.
“The second half was very stop-start, so there were some great lessons for us here in Georgia, as we’ll be playing here again during the Junior World Championship, which they will host,” Foote said.
“It was a good effort from us to concede one try, which is important and shows our character, but we still have a long way to go as we head towards the u20 Rugby Championship,” he concluded.
The squad will return to South Africa over the weekend and will have a break before assembling again next month at their training base in Stellenbosch.
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has named a reinforced match-day squad for the second and final international against Georgia, drafting in key forward experience as the South Africans look to build on their clinical opening performance in Tbilisi on Friday.
Following a dominant 35-0 victory in the first encounter last Sunday, Foote has recalled stalwarts Oliver Reid and Siphosethu Mnebelele to the starting front row.
While both sides agreed to utilize their full squads in the series opener, Friday’s clash – which kicks off at 13h00 (SA time) and will be live streamed by the hosts – sees a return to the standard 23-man match-day teams.
Foote has opted for continuity in the backline, with the only change the inclusion of Zekhethelo Siyaya at fullback in the place of Dylan Miller, who will now play off the bench. Siyaya, who played for the SA U18s last year, was a late withdrawal last week due to illness.
However, there are several changes to the pack. Beyond the inclusion of fit-again front-rankers Reid and Mnebelele – who sat out the first clash as a precaution – there is a shuffle among the loose forwards.
Kebotile Maake will start at No 8 ahead of Reuben Kruger, while Wasi Vyambwera joins the starting trio as Luke Cannon’s flanker partner.
Reid and Mnebelele, both of whom were members of last year’s Junior Bok side that lifted the U20 world crown in Italy, bring a wealth of experience to the set piece. Their inclusion means Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (prop) and Liam van Wyk (hooker) will provide cover from the bench.
Also on the bench are Kai Pratt (prop), JD Hattingh (lock), Risima Khosa (loose forward), Luan Giliomee (flyhalf), Samuel Badenhorst (centre), and Miller (utility back).
Reflecting on the selection and the lessons learned from the first outing, Foote said: “We are very pleased to welcome Ollie and Esethu back into the starting XV. They are vital members of our leadership group who understand the standards we set for the Junior Bok jersey.
“While the guys who stepped in last Sunday did an admirable job keeping a clean sheet, having that experience back in the ‘engine room’ provides us with the extra layer of composure and technical grit essential in a tough environment like Tbilisi.”
Despite the victory in the series opener, the Junior Bok coaching staff have emphasized the need for an 80-minute performance following a scoreless and penalty-strewn second half.
“While the 35-0 scoreline was a great start, the second half was a real arm-wrestle where we lost some of our clinical edge and discipline,” noted Foote.
“We’ve spent the last few days in our reviews and on the training pitch, specifically addressing those issues. The players have been incredibly honest about their shortcomings – especially regarding the penalty count – and we’ve worked hard on ensuring our set-piece dominance translates into sustained pressure.”
Looking ahead to the final clash, the SA U20 mentor said his players are preparing for a Georgian outfit renowned for their brute strength at the set-piece.
“We aren’t under any illusions – we expect Georgia to come out even harder in this final clash,” said Foote.
“They are a well-drilled, proud, and incredibly physical side. Sunday showed us that they never stop fighting, particularly in the mauls.
“We are anticipating a massive physical onslaught, but this is exactly why we are here – to test our resilience and fine-tune our systems under extreme pressure in the same environment where the Junior World Championship will take place in a few months’ time.”
Junior Springboks: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Lindsey Jansen, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Jordan Steenkamp, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera, 6 Luke Canon, 5 Riley Norton (captain), 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Oliver Reid.Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, 18 Kai Pratt, 19 JD Hattingh, 20 Risima Khosa, 21 Luan Giliomee, 22 Samuel Badenhorst, 23 Dylan Miller.
Junior Boks scrum vs Georgia u20 in Tbilisi, 22 February 2026 (PHOTO: SA Rugby)
The Junior Springboks laid down a marker for their 2026 season with a 35-0 triumph over Georgia Under-20 in Tbilisi on Sunday, with the win underpinned by a dominant set-piece display and courageous defensive resolve.
In a match defined by abrasive physicality from both sides, the South African forwards proved too much for the Junior Lelos to handle. This was especially evident in the opening half, while gritty defence kept the threatening hosts scoreless in their own backyard in the second half, despite their determined efforts after the break.
SA U20 assistant coach Lumumba Currie praised the maturity of his young pack of forwards, noting that the victory was built on the back of a good scrumming performance and a brave defensive effort that refused to buckle under pressure.
With Georgia changing tactics after the break, which saw the second half turn into a huge arm wrestle, Currie believes the experience gained by his younger charges – several of them making the big leap from schoolboy rugby to the international stage – would be invaluable for the road ahead.
“The pack performed very well, especially with our counter-mauls,” said Currie, who is in his fourth season with the SA U20s.
“A big part of our game is the set piece, and credit to Georgia, it was thoroughly tested. I was also very pleased with our ability to stop their dangerous mauls, and our set-piece set up some good tries for us.”
Tight five stalwarts Oliver Reid (prop) and Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker) sat out the encounter as injury precaution, depriving the Junior Boks of vital experience up front.
Currie added: “I was very impressed with how composed we remained during the clash, both with and without the ball and especially in the first half. It wasn’t just a one-way performance because the Georgians came hard at us. Defensively, the boys fought for each other.
“Overall, we showed great unity and bravery – qualities that were evident in our maul defence and the way we scrambled whenever they came close to our line. To shut them out showed the character of this group.”
In a bid to give all squad members time to gain international experience, the coaches brought on a different fifteen after the break, with Currie saying the second half turned into “a bit of an arm wrestle”.
“It became quite stop-start, which seemed to be a tactic to counter our high tempo and slow our momentum,” he said. “We conceded penalties and lost our fluidity – something we’ll look at to rectify for Friday’s rematch.”
Meanwhile, Currie reckons the hard-hitting grind against the gritty hosts will be invaluable for this group’s journey together.
“Numerous players represented our SA U18s last year, and it was pleasing to see them stand their ground,” said Currie.
“It is a big step up from schoolboy rugby to the international U20 level, and this tour is exactly what these players need get to grips with the requirements at this level.”
Looking ahead to Friday’s final tour fixture, Currie said: “While we are pleased with the result, there is always room for improvement in the set piece. We need to work on retaining possession better and can’t afford to lose balls in contact or concede unnecessary turnovers.
“So, we must look after our ball better and be more clinical on attack if we want to keep putting teams under pressure.”
A Junior Boks lineout vs Georgia u20 in Tbilisi, 22 February 2026 (PHOTO: SA Rugby)
The Junior Springboks delivered a strong first-half performance against Georgia to win the first of their two international matches by 35-0 in Tbilisi on Sunday afternoon, but they had to show a lot of defensive resolve in the second half to keep their determined hosts out.
The South Africans sent out a completely different team in the second half, with Georgia showing real fight, while the Junior Boks couldn’t control the game as well as they did in the opening half.
They committed many handling errors, found themselves on the wrong end of the penalty count, and had to show real determination on defence to prevent the Georgians from scoring. As a result of this arm wrestle, neither team were able to score any points in the second half.
Afterwards, Junior Bok head coach Kevin Foote praised his team’s fast start, highlighting how valuable it was to play in the same stadium they will use during the Junior World Championship in June and July.
“We started really well – it was a great hit out for us, especially being able to use the stadium and facilities where we’ll play our Junior World Championship matches (later this year),” Foote explained.
The Junior Boks stormed to a 35–0 halftime lead, clinically capitalising on their opportunities while applying sustained pressure on both sides of the ball.
Scrumhalf Hendre Schoeman got the scoring going with the first try, and he was quickly followed over the whitewash by Danie Kruger (prop), Liam van Wyk (hooker), Kebotile Maake (loose forward) and Gert Kemp (loose forward), all of which were converted by fly half Yaqeen Ahmed.
Although the Junior Boks were in full control on the scoreboard, Foote noted that discipline proved an early challenge: “We had a lot of penalties going against us in the first five minutes, but the guys showed massive character.”
Their ability to absorb pressure, maintain defensive integrity, and convert key moments allowed them to seize full control of the match before the break.
With this international fixture providing crucial game time for the entire squad, Foote and his coaching staff opted to make wholesale changes at halftime, bringing on a completely fresh lineup. While the move provided the players with time in the middle, it was understandable that it affected cohesion and rhythm.
“We changed the whole team at halftime just to give everyone a run, but after that, we couldn’t really control the game. The penalty count was just too much, and we had too many handling errors,” said Foote.
Despite the disrupted flow and mounting penalties, the Junior Boks’ defence held firm to keep the rampant Georgia scoreless.
The second half may not have delivered further points, but it offered another measure of the team’s resilience.
Foote praised his players for their determination in keeping Georgia out during extended periods on defence: “The guys were resilient, and even though we didn’t score, we kept them out despite the many penalties and turnovers. There was a lot of courage in our defence.”
The SA U20 coach added that their execution – particularly handling and decision‑making – will be key focus areas as they prepare for their next match, on Friday also in Tbilisi.
Reflecting on the overall performance, Foote said the outing provided exactly what the team needed at this stage of their preparation: “We learnt some good lessons from both halves, and we’ll build on them going into next week’s Test.”
Scorers:
Junior Boks 35 (35) – Tries: Hendre Schoeman, Danie Kruger, Liam van Wyk, Kebotile Maake, Gert Kemp. Conversions: Yaqeen Ahmed (5).
PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 20: Riley Norton of South Africa U18 during the U18 International Series match between South Africa and England at Paarl Boys’ High School on August 20, 2024 in Paarl, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Riley Norton will lead an exciting Junior Springbok team in the first of two international meetings against Georgia in Tbilisi on Sunday afternoon.
The SA U20 team for the match, which kicks off at 17h00 (SA time), was confirmed by head coach Kevin Foote, who will be looking for a good account from his charges against the physical hosts.
Norton is in his second season as Junior Bok captain after the lock captained the side to World Rugby U20 Championship glory in Italy last year. He will partner Heinrich Theron in the second row, packing down behind a powerful front row consisting of Rambo Kubheka, Liam van Wyk, and Danie Kruger.
The loose trio consist of flankers Kebotile Maake and Luke Canon, with Reuben Kruger at No 8.
In the backline, Hendré Schoeman (scrumhalf) and Yaqeen Ahmed (flyhalf) form the halfback pairing, directing an attacking unit stacked with attacking prowess and speed.
Ethan Adams (inside centre) and Markus Muller (outside centre) will operate in the midfield, while the outside backs are Jordan Steenkamp and Lindsey Jansen on the wings, with Zekhethelo Siyaya at fullback.
The rest of the touring squad are on the bench as the coaching staff will look to give the full group international playing time. The replacements include versatile back Luan Giliomee, who recently made his Springbok Sevens debut.
Experienced Junior Bok front-rowers Oliver Reid and Siphosethu Mnebelele – both members of last year’s successful side in Italy – were not considered for this match as a precaution due some minor niggles.
Reflecting on the feeling in Tbilisi ahead of the weekend’s clash, Foote noted that the players have adjusted well to the local conditions.
“There is a fantastic energy in the camp,” said Foote.
“The boys have settled into the local environment quickly, and the weather has been surprisingly pleasant for training. We had a productive high-intensity hit-out against the Lelo Saracens earlier this week, which was the ideal occasion for us to help fine-tune our structures and connections before Sunday.”
Regarding the Junior Boks’ opponents, Foote remains cautious of their renowned physicality: “Georgia is a very tough customer and a well-coached side, so we are expecting a massive physical challenge. But this is exactly the kind of contest we need to test ourselves and build resilience.”
Junior Springbok team to face Georgia in Tbilisi: 15. Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14. Lindsey Jansen, 13. Markus Muller, 12. Ethan Adams, 11. Jordan Steenkamp, 10. Yaqeen Ahmed, 9. Hendre Schoeman, 8. Reuben Kruger, 7. Luke Canon, 6. Kebotile Maake, 5. Riley Norton (captain), 4. Heinrich Theron, 3. Danie Kruger, 2. Liam van Wyk, 1. Rambo Kubheka. Replacements: 16. Kai Pratt, 17. Mahle Sithole, 18. Sibabalwe Booi, 19. James Schnetler, 20 JD Hattingh, 21 Risima Khosa, 22. Mumbere Vyambwera, 23. Gert Kemp, 24. Matthew Fink, 25. Luan Giliomee, 26. Dylan Miller, 27. Christian Vorster, 28. Samuel Badenhorst, 29. Khuthadzo Rasivhaga.
Luan Giliomee for the Junior Springboks u19 Academy (Photo: SA Rugby)
The Junior Springboks are braced for freezing European winter conditions to face physical and abrasive opponents that will test their grit and determination on their forthcoming tour of Georgia and will be looking to use this trip to improve their cohesion and understanding of their game model ahead of the start of the international season.
Junior Bok captain Riley Norton is one of four players in the tour squad who were in the successful side that lifted the U20 world crown last year in Italy, while numerous stalwarts of the successful SA U18 side of last are also included.
For SA U20 attack coach Melusi Mthethwa, the tour represents much more than just three hit-outs – it’s a vital process for testing the team’s mental and tactical adaptability in the heart of the Georgian winter. They will warm up against the Lelo Saracens before taking on the Georgia U20 side in what promises to be two very physical internationals.
Reflecting on the recently concluded training block in South Africa, Mthethwa expressed his satisfaction regarding the squad’s progress thus far, adding that the SA U20 coaching staff had implemented a revised strategy this season, prioritizing “playing more” in addition to the traditional drill sessions in a bid to sharpen the players’ game readiness.
“I’m actually very impressed with the young men in terms of their skill level, their execution, and their detail at this stage of our preparations,” said Mthethwa, highlighting the recent training matches against local FNB Varsity Cup opposition — FNB Maties and FNB Ikeys – as evidence of the squad’s growing cohesion and progress.
“What impressed me was the speed of the ball and how we were shifting the ball. The concentration levels and ticking the boxes on our structure were awesome for me to witness, especially during our last training game against Ikeys.”
Mthethwa, who is in his second coaching year with the Junior Boks, said the itinerary in Georgia is demanding and having toured the country last season with the Junior Boks, he is aware of the unique challenges awaiting them, including snow and potentially wet conditions.
Rather than a hinderance, he views these uncontrollable factors as a perfect test for the young South Africans: “We can’t control the conditions, but we can control our emotions, how we adapt and what we need to achieve.”
Georgia is renowned for its bruising, forward-oriented style of play, focusing on scrums, lineouts, and relentless physicality, and Mthethwa believes this direct confrontational style is exactly what the South African side needs to sharpen the further develop of their game.
“One of the things we learnt in Georgia (last year) was the necessity to go through the defence instead of just going around them,” Mthethwa explained, emphasizing that the players are ready to embrace the physicality so well associated with South African rugby.
“The primary goal of the tour is to ensure every player is on the same page regarding the team’s tactical and technical framework. Another key focus will be game management – learning when to expand the play and when to rely on a tactical kicking game.
“Back home, we can run hard because conditions are dry everywhere. Now, when we get there, if we encounter snow or rain, we need to understand how to adapt. So that is excellent preparation for our international season.”
Georgia will host the rebranded Junior World Championship in June and July, when the Junior Boks will aim to defend the crown they won last year in Italy.
SA U20 tour fixtures (all matches to be played in Tbilisi, Georgia):
SANZAAR’s Rugby Championship U20 competition returns to the iconic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, when the best junior talent from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina converges on Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape at the end of April.
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has named a reinforced match-day squad for the second and final international against Georgia, drafting in key forward experience as the South Africans look to build on their clinical opening performance in Tbilisi on Friday.
