Five capped Junior Boks named in final squad for U20 Rugby Championship

Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has announced his squad that will do battle with New Zealand, Australia and Argentina in the U20 Rugby Championship taking place in Gqeberha in May.

In all, Foote has picked 31 players in his squad for the tournament that will be played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium from 1 to 11 May.

Foote has selected five players who have featured for the Junior Boks before, including three who played in last year’s competition when the South African team finished second to New Zealand.

Batho Hlekani (loose forward), Haashim Pead (scrumhalf), JC Mars (outside back) are the trio who will be returning for their second Rugby Championship, while the two other returning Junior Boks are Wandile Mlaba (loose forward) and Herman Lubbe (prop).

Divan Fuller (flanker), who has also been capped by the Junior Boks, will miss the tournament through injury.

‘Looking forward to challenge’

“The Rugby Championship is a great opportunity for our players to test their abilities against quality opposition from New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina and we are looking forward to the challenge to play quality opposition in front of our passionate Eastern Cape fans,” said Foote.

“We worked with 80 players during our various training camps, which gave us a fantastic opportunity to test and assess our depth.

“I believe we have selected a competitive Junior Bok squad, consisting of players who have really put up their hand during the camps. A few missed out due to injury while there are also a couple who were retained from last year.”

According to the Junior Bok mentor it was not an easy task to reduce the squad, and he commended the entire training group for their effort during the preparation blocks.

“The players all did their part, and I am pleased with their effort,” said Foote. “We could only announce a 31-man squad, but that doesn’t mean those players who will not play in Nelson Mandela Bay are out of the reckoning for the World Rugby U20 Championship.”

Junior Springbok squad:

Props: Ranon Fouché (Bulls), Jean Erasmus (Bulls), Simphiwe Ngobese (Sharks), Herman Lubbe (Western Province), Oliver Reid (Western Province).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Jaundré Schoeman (Bulls), HB Odendaal (Lions).

Locks: Neil Hansen (Lions), Morné Venter (Lions), Riley Norton (Western Province), JJ Theron (Bulls).

Loose forwards: Batho Hlekani (Sharks), Xola Nyali (Western Province), Matt Romao (Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (Western Province), Thando Biyela (Lions).

Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Sharks), Haashim Pead (Lions), Elrich Visser (Cheetahs).

Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Kyle Smith (Western Province).

Centres: Albie Bester (Sharks), Gino Cupido (Western Province), Demitre Erasmus (Bulls), Dominic Malgas (Western Province).

Outside backs: Scott Nel (Sharks), Gilermo Mentoe (Lions), Siya Ndlozi (Western Province), Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), JC Mars (Western Province).