Junior Bok squad named for World Champs in Italy
Junior Boks head coach Kevin Foote has included five players who will feature in their second World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy, with lock Riley Norton retained as captain for the tournament which will be staged from 29 June to 19 July.
Five players are returning for a second consecutive U20 Championship campaign. These include Norton, Jaco Grobbelaar (lock), Bathobele Hlekani (utility forward), Herman Lubbe (prop), Wandile Mlaba (loose forward), and Haashim Pead (scrumhalf). Their experience will be crucial as the Junior Boks aim for a strong showing on the global stage.
Among the new additions to the squad are Phiwayinkosi Kubheka (prop) and Ian van der Merwe (flyhalf), both of whom will make their U20 international debuts. Kubheka represented South Africa at U18 level in 2023, while Van der Merwe featured in the same age group last year.
Stephanus Linde (No 8), Grobbelaar, and Jaco Williams (outside back) are also back in the squad after missing the recent U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha. Linde had toured with the Junior Boks to Georgia earlier in the year but was sidelined by injury.
The squad includes six players who are still eligible for the U19 age group, which bodes well for future campaigns. These players are Kubheka, fellow prop Oliver Reid, hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele, Norton, flyhalf Vusi Moyo, and outside back Cheswill Jooste.
Coach Foote acknowledged the difficulty of narrowing down the training squad of 37 players to the final 30. He praised the attitude and commitment shown by all players, especially those who have been part of the team since the SA U19 Academy Programme began last November in Stellenbosch.
'The boys have all been superb in their attitude and application,' said Foote. 'Most of this group has been together since last November during the SA U19 Academy Programme in Stellenbosch.'
Foote also expressed gratitude to the schools and provincial unions for their contributions to the players' development, highlighting the importance of cooperation across all levels in preparing the squad through various training camps and the tour to Georgia.
Foote recognized the disappointment for players who missed out on selection but reassured them that they remain on standby and could still be called up if necessary.
'It was an enormously difficult task to cut the squad to 30 players,' Foote added. 'We all feel for those guys who did not make the final selection. Thank you to them for their positive attitude, and they will remain on standby.'
The Junior Springboks will continue their training in Stellenbosch before departing for Italy on 24 June. They will open their tournament against Australia on 29 June in Calvisano. Their remaining pool matches are against England (4 July in Rovigo) and Scotland (9 July, back in Calvisano).
With a balanced blend of experienced players and exciting emerging talent, the Junior Boks are poised to compete strongly at the World Championship and lay the groundwork for future success.
JUNIOR BOKS SQUAD FOR 2025 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
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).
South Africa's Pool A fixtures:
Sunday, 29 June: Junior Boks vs Australia U20 – Stadio San Michele (Calvisano)
Friday, 4 July: Junior Boks vs England U20 – Stadio Mario Battaglini (Rovigo)
Wednesday, 9 July: Junior Boks vs Scotland U20 – June Stadio San Michele (Calvisano)
Playoffs:
Monday, 14 July: Semi-finals (Verona and Viadana)
Saturday, 19 July: Final and ranking matches (Calvisano and Rovigo)
WILL THE JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS CLINCH THE TITLE IN ITALY?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
33 minutes ago
- The Herald
Rabada stars, but Proteas batters stumble on day one of WTC final
Rabada picked up three wickets after tea — including Webster's, which should have come three hours earlier — as Australia lost 5/22 in 6.4 overs to be bowled out for 212. Rabada's 5/51 was his second five-for at Lord's but rather than have his name stencilled below his 5/52 against England here three years ago, it will go up on the 'Neutral's board' which is also in the away team's dressing room, and includes records for the 1912 Australia-South Africa Test, the 2010 match between Australia and Pakistan, and this WTC final. 'It means a lot to me to play for South Africa, it always has. I'm just happy I could do a job out there,' the bowler said. With 332 Test wickets, Rabada now sits fourth on the all-time wickets list for South Africa, moving past Allan Donald's 330 on Wednesday. 'Records are awesome. It means a lot to go past Allan Donald but that is secondary, the primary thing for us is this game,' he said. It may take Rabada to also do something special with the bat after Australia's excellent finish to what was a compelling opening day. But after the troubles he's had in the build-up to this match, you wouldn't be surprised if he did. Scoreboard here
eNCA
5 hours ago
- eNCA
Starc strikes as Australia fight back in WTC final against Proteas
LONDON - Mitchell Starc led Australia's recovery as the defending champions fought back with the ball against South Africa on the first day of the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Wednesday. Australia were dismissed for just 212 after South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss in bowler-friendly conditions, with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada taking 5-51. But at stumps South Africa had slumped to 43-4 in reply, a deficit of 169 runs, as Starc finished the day with figures of 2-10 in seven overs. South Africa's Marco Jansen, who took 3-49, admitted it had been a mixed day for the Proteas, telling the BBC: "Bowling-wise I think we did really well... They bowled well and we are going to have our work cut out for us tomorrow." Given the strength of both teams' pace attacks, the key question was always likely to be which side could put enough runs on the scoreboard. Australia's total certainly looked a lot healthier when left-arm quick Starc had Aiden Markram playing on for a duck before dismissing Ryan Rickelton (16) to leave South Africa floundering at 19-2. Novice number three Wiaan Mulder, dropped on one, was bowled by Australia captain Pat Cummins, having taken 44 balls to make six. And shortly before the close, Josh Hazlewood bowled Tristan Stubbs. Australia had earlier slumped to 67-4 at lunch. But star batsman Steve Smith (66) and all-rounder Beau Webster (72) repaired the damage with a fifth-wicket stand of 79. "Two good bowling outfits, it was tough work for the batters," Webster told the BBC. "We've got a score on the board and to grab four scalps at the end of the day, I think we're pretty happy." Webster, however, would have been lbw to Rabada for eight if South Africa had reviewed an original not out decision. "There were a couple of reviews throughout the day which could've gone either way," said Webster. "The degree of seam movement up the slope was tricky." Rampant Rabada AFP | Glyn KIRK Australia were in desperate trouble in the early overs, reduced to 16-2 after losing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a single Rabada over. The 30-year-old, who has more than 300 Test wickets, is playing his first Test after serving a one-month ban for cocaine use earlier this year. "It means a lot for me playing for South Africa, I give my all each and every time. I am so happy to do the job out there," Rabada told Sky Sports. Australia have struggled to find an opening partner for Khawaja since David Warner's retirement 17 months ago, with Marnus Labuschagne the latest batsman tried out. The 30-year-old, without a Test century for nearly two years, battled hard for 17 off 56 balls before falling to towering left-armer Jansen. Australia had been in similar trouble in the 2023 final against India across London at The Oval, only for Smith and Travis Head to both score hundreds as they turned the match in their favour. Head, however, could only manage 11 before he glanced Jansen, with Kyle Verreynne holding an excellent diving one-handed catch. Smith went to fifty before falling to part-time spinner Markram after Jansen, at slip, clung on at the third attempt. Australia lost their last five wickets for just 20 runs, with Rabada ending the innings when he bowled Starc. Rabada's haul meant he surpassed Allan Donald's tally of 330 Test wickets in his 71st match compared to the retired South Africa great's 72 Tests.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Life moves on for Kagiso Rabada, but now calls on Proteas batters to combat Aussie speedsters
Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed his second five-wicket haul at Lord's on Wednesday. Picture: BackpagePix Image: Picture: BackpagePix LONDON: Kagiso Rabada has already delivered a special bowling performance. He may now have to double up with the bat on Thursday for the Proteas to keep going toe-to-toe with Australia in this fast-moving World Test Championship Final at Lord's. The opening two sessions belonged to Rabada and the Proteas. They had the large number of Proteas fans in the stands chanting traditional South African songs as the Aussies were blown away. 'It felt like a home game,' Rabada said. But he also admitted that the eventual Australian may have been a few too many. '212, you'll take that. But we thought probably 160 is what we should have had them at,' he said. The fact that it was that much was largely due to a non-review by the Proteas when Rabada wrapped Australia's top-scorer Beau Webster (72) on the pads when he had just eight. 'Yeah, Corbin Bosch came down to find leg and he said it was out. And I was like, oh man! Rabada sighed. 'Yeah, it was a bit annoying. He didn't start off too well there. It looked like he was going to get out any ball. But I guess his positive intent got him through. Cricket's a funny game.' It was no laughing matter, though, when Rabada's hard work was undone in the final session when the Australian seamers ran through the Proteas' top-order to leave Shukri Conrad's team at 43/4 when the stumps were drawn. Unlike Webster, and Steve Smith's (66) counter-attacking approach at the crease, the Proteas batters never threw a punch in anger as the Australian attack landed one left hook after the other. Southpaw Mitchell Starc was particularly impressive with figures of 2/10. But unlike Rabada that operated primarily in solo fashion, Starc had Pat Cummins (1/14) and Josh Hazlewood (1/10) for support. 'The ball was nipping quite a bit and at times moving off the slope quite a lot. But I still felt like batters could get in,' Rabada said. 'If you just bowled well and got more balls in the right area for a long period of time, then that's when you could create chances. They didn't miss their lengths and they bowled really well. So, we're going to have to combat that tomorrow (Thursday).' The Proteas' chances may have nose-dived in that final hour, but it remained a day to remember for Rabada for so many reasons. The fast bowler has been in the spotlight since testing for a banned substance and the spotlight was firmly on the 30-year-old to see how he would respond to the scrutiny. Independent Media's Zaahier Adams will be at Lord's for the World Test Championship bringing you all the news, videos and podcasts. Picture: Independent Media Image: Independent Media
