Five World Rugby U20 Championship-winning Junior Boks have been included in the SA Rugby U19 Academy training squad for a three-game tour of Europe.
They are SA U20 captain and lock Riley Norton, props Oliver Reid and Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele and flyhalf Vusi Moyo.
The 36-man squad will assemble at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport next Wednesday before heading to Europe a week later for two matches in France and one in Ireland.
The U19 Academy programme is a key pathway to Junior Bok selection for the U20 Rugby Championship and next year’s World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia.
Seventeen players who represented SA U18 in 2024, and nine who featured for last year’s SA U18 A side, have also been included, reflecting the strength of the Elite Player Development (EPD) pathway.
None of this year’s SA Schools or SA U18 representatives have been selected because of school exams but they will be considered for future camps in December and January.
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Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote said the Stellenbosch camp and European tour provide valuable opportunities for players to grow.
“This tour will give the players the chance to gain clarity on our game model and experience our Junior Boks culture,” Foote said. “We are hugely grateful to SA Rugby for their support in arranging this tour at the backend of the year.”
He added that the selection was focused on U19 players to allow U18s to complete their academic year.
“This is such a great opportunity for the U19s – whom we’ve selected from our domestic U19 and U21 Cup competitions – to put up their hands for national colours and work towards next year’s U20 Championship,” said Foote. “From a coaching perspective, it also gives us the opportunity to look closely at the group and mentor them in our environment.”
A final touring squad of 31 players will be named before the squad departs for France and Ireland.
SA U19 Academy training squad
Props: Oliver Reid (Western Province), Phiwayinkosi Kubheka (Sharks), Aphiwe Shelembe (Bulls), Ulrich van der Merwe (Sharks), Danie Kruger (Western Province), Henry du Plessis (Western Province).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Mahle Sithole (Lions), Liam van Wyk (Sharks).
Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), James Schnetler (Lions), Riley Norton (Western Province), JD Hattingh (Lions), Tom Barnard (Western Province).
Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Bulls), Vuyo Gwiji (Lions), Risima Khosa (Lions), Luke Canon (Lions), Bohlala Mapisa (Cheetahs), Aiden de Costa (Western Province), Reuben Kruger (Western Province).
Scrumhalves: Brooklyn Newman (Bulls), Adeeb Boraine (Western Province), Elgernon Meyer (Lions).
Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Luan Giliomee (Sharks).
Centres: Pieter van der Merwe (Bulls), Janco Purchase (Sharks), Samuel Badenhorst (Western Province), Gregan Jansen (Sharks).
Outside backs: Dylan Miller (Western Province), Unathi Mlotshwa (Bulls), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Adriano Jackson (Lions), Lindsey Jansen (Bulls), Akahluwa Boqwana (Bulls).
Photo: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
The post Junior Boks bolster SA U19 Academy squad appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Five World Rugby U20 Championship-winning Junior Boks have been included in the SA Rugby U19 Academy training squad for a three-game tour of Europe.
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