Junior Boks set preparations for big tournaments

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Junior Springboks are set to reconvene at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) next week with a squad of 41 players for their third training camp of the year, and the first gathering since their return from a successful tour in Georgia three weeks ago.

The extended Junior Bok squad will assemble from Monday, March 24 to continue their preparations for the forthcoming international season and ultimately the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy in June and July.

The training squad have been bolstered by the return of several players who were previously unavailable due to injuries or other commitments and Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote expressed his excitement about the new additions.

“We have some nice additions in the pack and amongst the backs,” said Foote.

“It’s great to have several forwards returning, such as JJ Theron, Jaco Grobbelaar and Wandile Mlaba, while we have also included Herman Lubbe and Zuko Phoswa, who were playing in the Varsity Cup.

“Amongst the backs, we have Kyle Smith back from injury and he has been really involved throughout his rehabilitation.

“Albie Bester joins the group of centres, and Gino Cupido will join us after returning from the Far East with the Springbok Sevens squad.

“We also have some exciting backs joining us for this training block.”

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Reflecting on their recent tour, Foote said: “We are grateful and very pleased with the effort of the group in Georgia.

“What we have is a squad that is very connected and caring for each other, which is exciting for us going forward.”

Looking ahead to the next few weeks of training, Foote explained their big focus is preparing for the World Rugby U20 Championship while they await confirmation of SANZAAR’s U20 Rugby Championship.

“We will focus a lot on the details of our set-piece and our kicking game, and how we want to play according to our South African rugby DNA,” said Foote while also emphasizing the importance of conditioning during the next training block.

“We aim to get fitter, stronger, and even tighter with each other.

“The emphasis during conditioning will be on the speed of the ball, how we want to play, and what areas we want to play in.

“We will achieve this through our training environment, our gym, and conditioning sessions.

“We will push the intensity up during the camp to ensure we are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.”

Outside backs JC Mars and Jaco Williams are both injured, but Mars will join the squad for meetings as he is based in Cape Town.

Junior Bok training squad in Stellenbosch:

Forwards: Ranon Fouché, Jean Erasmus, Simphiwe Ngobese, Tebogo Nkosi, Herman Lubbe, Oliver Reid, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Jaundre Schoeman, HB Odendaal, Kuhle Mthimkhulu, Neil Hansen, Morne Venter, Riley Norton, Hannes Grobbelaar, Zuko Phoswa, Batho Hlekani, Yabo Ndzamela, Divan Fuller, Xola Nyali, Stephanus Linde, JJ Theron, Matt Romao, Wandile Mlaba, Thando Biyela.

Backs: Ceano Everson, Brooklyn Newman, Haashim Pead, Vusi Moyo, Yaqeen Ahmed, Kyle Smith, Albie Bester, Gino Cupido, Demitre Erasmus, Scott Nel, Gilermo Mentoe, Siya Ndlozi, Cheswill Jooste, Chijindu Okonta, JT Kapank, Dominic Malgas.