The Junior Boks will have a new captain for the Junior World Championship in Georgia.
With Riley Norton named in the Springbok squad for the Nations Championship, hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele will take over the leadership role.
The Junior Boks, who will be defending the title they won in Italy last year, were scheduled to leave for Georgia from Cape Town on Monday afternoon. They open their campaign against Uruguay U20 at Avchala Stadium on Saturday.
Norton’s place in the Junior Boks squad is filled by utility forward Thomas Beling, while Bulls speedster Cheswill Jooste replaces flyhalf Vusi Moyo who has also joined Rassie Erasmus’ Bok squad.
In a further change, wing Akahluwa Boqwana has been drafted into the touring party as a replacement for utility back Zekhethelo Siyaya, who joined prop Kai Pratt on the list of injured players.
Siyaya sustained concussion and a facial injury during a freak collision in the South Africa A clash against Zimbabwe at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
ALSO: Rockin’ Riley your Bok MVP
Other Junior Boks who featured for the SA A side, including props Oliver Reid and Danie Kruger, hooker Liam van Wyk, flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, utility back Luan Giliomee and centre Markus Muller rejoined the squad in Stellenbosch on Sunday.
Ahmed, whose yellow card was upgraded to a 20-minute red card for a dangerous tackle against Zimbabwe, has been suspended and will miss the first two matches in Georgia, but will remain in the squad.
STOKKE: SA A flyhalf unfortunate to get red
Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote congratulated Norton and Moyo on their Springbok selection.
“Everyone in the Junior Bok set-up is delighted for Riley and Vusi, and we wish them well for the Nations Championship,” said Foote.
“It is every young player’s dream to represent the Springboks, and they thoroughly deserve their opportunity.”
Foote also praised the rest of the players who were involved in the 40-0 win over Zimbabwe, saying: “They made us proud with their performances.
“Their involvement in Gqeberha shows that we are on track in preparing the next generation of South African internationals.
“Injuries and call-ups to senior honours are part of the game. Fortunately, we planned for these scenarios, and the players brought into the squad are well integrated into our environment and game model. We are confident in our preparation and excited for the challenge ahead.”
Props Reid and Rambo Kubheka, hooker Mnebelele, wing Jooste and fullback Alzeadon Felix were all part of the Junior Boks squad that won the title in Italy last year.
The championship takes place from 27 June to 18 July and South Africa has been drawn in Pool A alongside Wales, host nation Georgia and Uruguay.
Junior Springboks World Championship squad
Props: Oliver Reid (Stormers), Jordan Jooste (Stormers), Danie Kruger (Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Sharks), Luan van der Berg (Bulls).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (c, Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Sharks).
Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), Jaythen Orange (Lions), JD Hattingh (Lions).
Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Bulls), Risima Khosa (Lions), Luke Cannon (Lions), Vuyo Gwiji (Lions), Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks), Gert Kemp (Stormers).
Utility forward: Thomas Beling (Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Bulls), Jayden Brits (Stormers).
Flyhalf: Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers).
Centres: Ethan Adams (Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (Stormers), Markus Muller (Stormers).
Outside and utility backs: Luan Giliomee (Sharks), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), Akahluwa Boqwana (Bulls), Jack Benade (Stormers), Jordan Steenkamp (Stormers), Alzeadon Felix (Lions).
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
The post Junior Boks name new captain, suffer injury setback appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Junior Boks will have a new captain for the Junior World Championship in Georgia.
The post Junior Boks name new captain, suffer injury setback appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
