Norton to captain experienced Junior Bok squad

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Riley Norton has been named captain of an exciting Junior Springbok squad for the third edition of SANZAAR’s Under-20 Rugby Championship, set to kick off on April 27, in Gqeberha.

Head coach Kevin Foote has assembled a group that balances championship-winning experience with the country’s most promising rising stars, following an intensive two-week preparation camp in Stellenbosch.

The squad features a strong core of continuity, including four members of the South African side that secured the Junior World Championship title in Italy last year. Joining Norton in this experienced group are Siphosethu Mnebelele, Oliver Reid, and Vusi Moyo, all of whom are expected to provide leadership and big-match temperament as the team returns to international competition on home soil.

Complementing the veteran core is a wave of fresh talent transitioning from the schoolboy ranks. The selection includes several standouts from last year’s SA U18 side, namely centers Markus Muller and Ethan Adams, No.8 Gert Kemp, and prop Kai Pratt. This blend of World Cup experience and emerging youth highlights a strategic focus on depth as the Junior Boks prepare to test themselves against their southern hemisphere counterparts.

*Also read related article SA Schoolboy rugby: Why the era of the ‘unbeatable’ powerhouse is over

Cheswill Jooste (wing) and Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback) were placed on standby pending their duties in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, along with Jade Muller and Akahluwa Boqwana.

Meanwhile, former Wynberg Boys’ High School lock Jaythen Orange and UCT midfielder Olunje Mehlomakulu were late additions to the squad in place of the injured AJ Meyer and Christian Vorster.

Injury also ruled out regular Junior Bok training squad member Luan Giliomee, after the BlitzBok utility player sustained a niggle which prevented him from attending the latest training camp.

*Article continues below…

Sharks hand teenage sensation Zekhethelo Siyaya first start for Ospreys clashhttps://t.co/flpi2ReiGI

— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) April 16, 2026

Commenting on the final selection, Foote said it was no easy task to reduce the training squad from 43 players to 31 for the tournament.

“We asked a lot of the group over the past two weeks, because we wanted to step up the intensity and increase their fitness, and they responded splendidly,” said Foote.

“We know from experience that the southern hemisphere teams play a high-tempo game, and we are looking forward to playing an exciting brand of rugby with lots of ball in play.

“We tailored our camp programme around those focus areas, so that we can prepare our players accordingly for what they will encounter in the Rugby Championship. We also continued to work hard on our cohesion and our game model, and the coaching staff is very pleased with the effort of all the young men.

“Unfortunately, we can only take a squad of 31, and so we feel for those players who missed out on final selection. We will fine-tune our final preparations in Gqeberha before our opening match on April 27 against Argentina.”

With the Junior World Championship in mind, in June and July in Georgia, the Junior Bok coach said the door was not closed on those players who missed out on selection, or any other player who did not attend the current training camp. He also thanked the provincial unions and franchises for preparing the players for the training camp.

Junior Springbok squad for the U20 Rugby Championship:

Props: Oliver Reid (Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Sharks), Jordan Jooste (Stormers), Danie Kruger (Stormers), Kai Pratt (Sharks).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Sharks).

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), Riley Norton (captain, Stormers), JD Hattingh (Lions), Jaythen Orange (Lions).

Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (VBulls), Risima Khosa (Lions), Luke Canon (Lions), Thomas Beling (Bulls), Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks), Gert Kemp (Stormers).

Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (), Jayden Brits (Stormers).

Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Sharks).

Centres: Ethan Adams (Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (Stormers), Markus Muller (Stormers), Olunje Mehlomakulu (Stormers).

Outside backs: Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Lindsey Jansen (Bulls), Jack Benade (Stormers), Jade Muller (Cheetahs)*, Akahluwa Boqwana (Bulls)*, Alzeadon Felix (Sharks), Cheswill Jooste (Bulls)*, Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks)*.