Chilliboy to lead 'Baby Boks'
Coach: 'I'm very satisfied with our preparations'
South African Under-21 hooker Chilliboy Ralepelle has immense promise. First Springbok coach Jake White wanted him to train with the senior national team and now he has been chosen to captain his country at the International Rugby Board (IRB) U21 World Cup in France, according to Afrikaans daily newspaper, Die Burger.
The annual U21 World Cup will take place in France this year, with the 'Baby Boks' no doubt hoping to defend the title they won in Argentina last year. Ralepelle, of course, was a key member of that squad, having also won the IRB U19 World Cup earlier in 2005.
"I'm very satisfied with our preparations and we're most pleased because there are no injuries," SA U21 coach Peter de Villiers told Die Burger.
And on his team's expectations, as defending champions, De Villiers added: "We're not experiencing pressure from outside to excel.
"We're obviously putting pressure on ourselves to do well, because we're all proud. No one will be satisfied with a second or third place.
"The guys are playing for their country and they want to do well."
The Bokkies – who boast a host of players with Super 14 experience in their squad – play their first match of the 2006 IRB U21 World Cup against Argentina on Friday, June 9.
The South Africa Under-21 squad:
Forwards: Adriaan Strauss (Blue Bulls), Allister Hargreaves (Sharks), Ashley Johnson (Spears), Bandiso Maku (Blue Bulls), Chilliboy Ralepelle (Blue Bulls), Heinke van der Merwe (Golden Lions), Hilton Lobberts (Blue Bulls), Keegan Daniels (Sharks), Nicolaai Blignaut (Sharks), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls), Pieter Louw (Western Province), Sangoni Mxoli (Sharks), Werner Kruger (Blue Bulls), Wilhelm Steenkamp (Blue Bulls).
Backs: Bradley Barritt (Sharks), Cedric Mkhize (Sharks), Frank Wagenstroom (Western Province), Isma-eel Dollie (Spears), Jano Vermaak (Golden Lions), JP Petersen (Sharks), Joey Mongalo (Blue Bulls), Marius Delport (Blue Bulls), Meyer Bosman (Cheetahs)*, Morgan Newman (Western Province), Warren Malgas (Spears), Waylon Murray (Sharks).
*Currently with the senior Springbok squad.
