Mjekevu excited by Baby Boks' chances
Lions wing Wandile Mjekevu believes that his experience gained during the Super 14 will hold him in good stead for next month’s IRB Junior World Championship which takes place in Argentina next month.
The 19-year-old speedster arrived on Monday at the Baby Boks’ final 10-day training camp in George where the SA U20s are preparing for their last warm up game against Eastern Province before the South America tournament commences on June 5.
Mjekevu played 10 Super Rugby games for the Johannesburg franchise this season and scored four tries in his first taste of Super 14 action. He also represented SA Schools in 2008 and was a member of SARU’s U18 High Performance squad in 2009 where he participated in international matches against France and Namibia.
“Firstly I am extremely proud of being able to represent my country at a World Championship,” said Mjekevu.
“I have never played in international cups and tournaments, so this is a first. But I am sure that the experience I gained in this season’s Super 14 will enable me to contribute to the success of the SA U20 team.
“I had the advantage of playing against the likes of current All Black and Wallabies players who have made a name for themselves on the international stage and now I am also looking forward to testing my rugby talents and skills against the best U20 players in world.”
Another player who has gained some game time in the 2010 Super 14 is SA U20 centre Jaco Taute.
The 19-year-old utility back represented the Lions in the 2009 Currie Cup and played off the bench for the Johannesburg franchise in their last two Super Rugby games against the Blues and the Western Force. Taute also appeared for UJ in the 2010 Varsity Cup.
Taute represented the Baby Boks in two international friendlies against the Argentinean U20s in Vredenburg and Saldanha earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Sharks fullback Patrick Lambie – who has also been selected to the SA U20 squad, after an excellent Super 14 season – is expected to join the Baby Boks squad at the conclusion of his side’s Super 14 campaign (against the Force this coming weekend).
