Four from Springbok alignment camp boost Junior Bok squad

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Four players who recently attended the senior South Africa national rugby union team alignment camp have been included in Kevin Foote’s 45-man South Africa national under-20 rugby union team training squad for a two-week camp in Stellenbosch from April 6-19, as preparations ramp up for the 2026 Under-20 Rugby Championship.

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.

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 United Rugby Championship debut for the Sharks, and at flyhalf.

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 URC commitments.

Alongside their daily field and gym sessions in Stellenbosch, the Junior Boks will take part in two training chukkas against the 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, April 27, and the remaining match days scheduled for May 3-9, respectively.

All matches will be staged at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

Junior Springbok training squad:

Props: Oliver Reid (Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Sharks), Jordan Jooste (Stormers), Cecil Parson (Lions); Danie Kruger (Stormers), Kai Pratt (Sharks), Luan van der Berg (Bulls), Bongani Dlamini (VBulls).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Sharks), Mahle Sithole (Lions), Altus Rabe (Stormers).

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), Riley Norton (Stormers), JD Hattingh (Lions), AJ Meyer (Stormers), Tom Barnard (Stormers).

Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Bulls), Risima Khosa (Lions), Luann Olivier (Sharks), Luke Canon (Lions), Thomas Beling (Bulls), Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks), Sibusiso Mahlangu (Cheetahs), Bohlale Maphisa (Cheetahs), Gert Kemp (Stormers).

Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Bulls), Jayden Brits (Stormers), Jandrian Goosen (Bulls).

Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Alzeadon Felix (Sharks),

Centres: Ethan Adams (Lions), Christian Vorster (Bulls), Winton Abrahams (CUT), Samuel Badenhorst (Stormers), Markus Muller (Stormers).

Outside backs: Dylan Miller (Stormers), Junaide Stuart (Bulls), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Lindsey Jansen (Bulls), Jack Benade (Stormers), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks), Jade Muller (Cheetahs).

Utility player: Luan Giliomee (Sharks).