'We are lucky': Five Junior Springboks head to Europe

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Five members of the triumphant Junior Springbok side from earlier this year have been included in the SA Rugby Under-19 Academy squad of 30 players for a three-match European tour to France and Ireland.

The touring squad, which includes Junior Bok captain Riley Norton and his 2025 SA U20 teammates Oliver Reid, Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, Siphosethu Mnebelele, and Vusi Moyo, will depart South Africa on Wednesday.

Reid recently made his debut for Stormers in the United Rugby Championship.

The tour is a crucial part of the pathway for age-group players to the Junior Springboks, serving as the pinnacle of SA Rugby’s Elite Player Development (EPD) programme.

Kevin Foote will be supported by the full SA U20 coaching and management staff. The Junior Springbok head coach sees the trip as the ideal opportunity for the young players to connect with and experience the culture of the Junior Boks.

The SA U19 squad will face strong international competition, starting with an opposed training session against a French U19 Invitational XV on 3 November, followed by a match against the French U19s on 8 November. The tour concludes with a clash against Ireland U19 on 14 November.

Speaking after the week-long training camp in Stellenbosch, Foote expressed his satisfaction with the squad’s preparation.

“It was an awesome camp and a great opportunity to immerse the guys in our culture, what it means to play for the Junior Springboks, how we want to play, and how we want to represent ourselves,” Foote said.

Despite spending only a week together before flying out to France on Wednesday, Foote is fortunate to have significant continuity within the group.

“We are lucky to have five guys who returned from the World Rugby U20 Championship,” he said.

“They did a fantastic job of leading the integration of the new players and setting the tone. We also have another ten players who were part of our Junior Springbok camp preparations throughout the year, so there is a lot of continuity.”

Adding further strength and continuity, the entire World Rugby U20 Championship-winning Junior Bok coaching and management staff will be involved in the tour. This includes Thulani Nteta (strength and conditioning coach), Melusi Mthethwa (attack coach), and Lumumba Currie (forwards coach).

“From a coaching perspective, we are a year down the line as a team, which is a big plus. There is a great synergy amongst the whole management staff, which set the trend nicely for the camp.” Foote noted.

The final 30-man touring squad were reduced from the original training group following injuries to James Schnetler (lock, Lions) and Samuel Badenhorst (centre, Western Province), with Lions lock Thomas Beling having been brought in as cover during the camp.

The four players not selected for the final touring squad are Beling, Henry du Plessis (prop, Western Province), Bohlala Mapisa (loose forward, Cheetahs) and Adeeb Boraine (scrumhalf, Western Province).

Foote reassured players who missed out that they remain firmly in the Junior Springbok sights: “We are obviously disappointed for the four players who left the camp today, but they leave with things to work on. We can only take 30 players, so we unfortunately had to reduce the group.

“We are very happy with the touring squad selected. For those who were injured and not considered, we will have another opportunity to look at them, as well as the Under-18’s who came out of this year’s school programme,” he added.

Foote emphasised the primary goals for the tour: “Our goals are clarity; to ensure everyone understands the team’s playing model and style; giving players confidence in executing that style and connection; and fostering the bond and understanding between players to set a tone for next year.

“For now, the focus is on Europe. We know France and Ireland will be a challenge, given that it’s in their backyard and early in their season, which is different to us where we are at the end of our season. We want to go there and represent our country very well.”

The squad departs for France on Wednesday afternoon and will return to South Africa on 16 November.

SA U19 Academy squad for the tour to Europe:

Props: Oliver Reid (Western Province), Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Sharks), Aphiwe Shelembe (Bulls), Ulrich van der Merwe (Sharks), Danie Kruger (Western Province).

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

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), Riley Norton (Western Province), JD Hattingh (Lions), Tom Barnard (Western Province).

Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Bulls), Vuyo Gwiji (Lions), Risima Khosa (Lions), Aiden de Costa (Western Province), Reuben Kruger (Western Province).

Scrumhalves: Brooklyn Newman (Bulls), Elgernon Meyer (Lions).

Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Luan Giliomee (Sharks).

Centres: Pieter van der Merwe (Bulls), Janco Purchase (Sharks), Gregan Jansen (Sharks), Adriano Jackson (Lions).

Outside backs: Dylan Miller (Western Province), Unathi Mlotshwa (Bulls), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Lindsey Jansen (Bulls), Akahluwa Boqwana (Bulls).