Willemse send-off inspires Junior Springboks

NEWS: A rejuvenated Junior Springbok squad filled with excitement is ready for take-off for Italy, where the 2025 edition of the World Under-20 Championship kicks off on Sunday.

The South Africans will launch their campaign against Australia, with pool matches against England and Scotland to follow.

The squad had their traditional capping ceremony last Friday evening in Cape Town and wrapped up their preparations in Stellenbosch on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday, they will depart for their tournament base in Verona, where they will fine-tune preparations ahead of the competition.

Junior Bok captain Riley Norton (lock) and fellow forwards Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker) and JJ Theron (lock) shared their thoughts on the team’s readiness and the challenges that await in Italy.

Norton, who matriculated from Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch last year, expressed immense pride in representing South Africa.

“We’ve worked incredibly hard to be here, and all of us are just so proud to be representing this team and our country,” said Norton.

“The coaches and staff have done an amazing job in preparing us for this tournament, and now it’s up to the players to go out and do the best that they’re capable of.

“The brotherhood and togetherness are big focuses for us, and we all have that desire to be the best player that we can be, in the service of our country and for the Junior Springbok team. The challenge to face the best teams at our age group level is enormously exciting to all of us as players.”

Mnebelele, the SA U18 captain last year who attended King Edward VII School in Johannesburg, highlighted the importance of their recent experience in the U20 Rugby Championship: “The intensity will be quite different than what we’re used to, and that is why we are so grateful that we played in the Rugby Championship. Playing against Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand prepared us well for the challenges ahead.”

He described Springbok Damian Willemse’s motivational talk at the capping ceremony as truly inspiring: “He told us to be ourselves, play to the best of our abilities, and fight for each other, our team, and the country.”

Regarding the tournament format, Theron – SA Schools captain in 2023, who went to Grey College in Bloemfontein – added: “It is a very demanding tournament with a five-day turnaround (between matches), but as South Africans, we always embrace a challenge.

“Australia, England, and Scotland – each game will be an enormous test, but we don’t look too far ahead. Our aim is to always stay in the moment and do the job at hand, which is necessary.

“We pride ourselves on our physicality, and that’s what we aim to display when we take the field, to play to our strengths. We are all enormously proud to be selected for the Junior Boks, and we are excited about the tournament and the opportunity to play for our country.”

The team will travel to Italy on Tuesday and will have their first session on Italian soil on Wednesday afternoon after settling into their base in Verona.

Junior Springbok squad for the 2025 World U20 Championship in Italy:

Props: Jean Erasmus (Bulls), Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Sharks), Herman Lubbe (Western Province), Simphiwe Ngobese (Sharks), Oliver Reid (Western Province).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Jaundré Schoeman (Bulls).

Locks: Jaco Grobbelaar (Bulls), Riley Norton (captain, Western Province), JJ Theron (Bulls), Morné Venter (Lions).

Loose forwards: Thando Biyela (Lions), Bathobele Hlekani (Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (Western Province), Xola Nyali (Western Province), Matt Romao (Sharks), Stephanus Linde (Cheetahs).

Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Sharks), Haashim Pead (Lions), Erich Visser (Cheetahs).

Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Ian van der Merwe (Bulls).

Centres: Albie Bester (Sharks), Gino Cupido (Western Province), Demitre Erasmus (Bulls), Dominic Malgas (Western Province).

Outside backs: Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), Gilermo Mentoe (Lions), Siya Ndlozi (Western Province), Jaco Williams (Sharks).