Junior Springboks know how to connect, says coach Foote ahead of World U20 opener
After a lengthy build-up, the Junior Springboks are 'feeling the energy' ahead of their World Under-20 Championship opener against Australia in Italy on Sunday.
Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote announced his match-23 on Friday for the clash against the Junior Wallabies at the San Michele Stadium in Calvisano (3.30pm SA time kick-off), which boasts a number of top-class youngsters eager to make their mark on the global stage.
Powerful forward Bathobele Hlekani will hope to make a big impression at blindside flank, having featured for the SA Under-20 in last year's tournament as well.
The Junior Boks will be will be captained by Western Province lock Riley Norton, while other notable figures include fullback Gilermo Mentoe, flyhalf Vusi Moyo and scrumhalf Haashim Pead.
'We are extremely excited about starting the World Championship in Italy,' Foote said on Friday.
'It's a great country, and you can feel the energy within the group.
'The players have prepared well, they've got clarity, and they are just such a great group together.
'Selection is always tough and leaving some guys out is hard, but we've gone with a team that has played a lot together now, has a lot of synergy and understanding of our game, and knows how to connect on the field.
'We are very excited about the team that we have selected, with Riley Norton captaining the side, and he will be assisted by Haashim Pead, JJ Theron and Siphosethu Mnebelele.'
Lock Jaco Grobbelaar and speedster Jaco Williams played for the senior Bulls and Sharks side in the United Rugby Championship last season, and will be keen to make significant contributions off the bench in the second.
'He's (Grobbelaar) trained very well since joining (last week),' Foote said.
'Having his big physical presence is fundamental to the way we want to play, and the same goes for Jaco Williams (outside back), who also joined late after completing his URC campaign with the Sharks.
'The nice thing about them is the calmness that they bring in their roles.'
Junior Springbok Team
15 Gilermo Mentoe 14 Cheswill Jooste 13 Demitre Erasmus 12 Albie Bester 11 Siyabonga Ndlozi 10 Vusi Moyo 9 Haashim Pead 8 Wandile Mlaba 7 Bathobele Hlekani 6 Xola Nyali 5 JJ Theron 4 Riley Norton (captain) 3 Herman Lubbe 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele 1 Simphiwe Ngobese.
Bench: 16 Jaundre Schoeman 17 Oliver Reid 18 Jean Erasmus 19 Jaco Grobbelaar 20 Matt Romao 21 Erich Visser 22 Ian van der Merwe 23 Jaco Williams.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Mapimpi called up to Springbok squad, Kolisi and Arendse released due to injuries
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has called up experienced Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi to the squad ahead of the second Rugby Championship clash against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday. This after captain Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse were released due to injuries they sustained during last weekend's 38-22 defeat against Australia and are expected to be sidelined for a few weeks. While there is enough cover in the squad at loose forward, Erasmus opted to call up Mapimpi as backline cover and he will join his teammates in Cape Town on Monday night. The double Rugby World Cup-winner boasts 47 Test matches and will undoubtedly boost the experience in the backline as the Boks look to get their campaign back on track.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Mapimpi called into injury-hit Boks squad
The Boks suffered a number of injuries during their shock 38-22 defeat by Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday. Double World Cup winner Makazole Mapimpi has been called into the Springbok squad for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Cape Town. The experienced winger comes in because Kurt-Lee Arendse is injured (knee), while Edwill van der Merwe is also nursing an ankle niggle. Another wing, Cheslin Kolbe, missed last weekend's Test in Joburg because of a problem, but is expected to be back in action this weekend. Also, the Boks have suffered a big injury blow with captain Siya Kolisi being ruled out of action, for up to four weeks, following last Saturday's 38-22 defeat by the Wallabies at Ellis Park. Kolisi and Arendse have been released from the Bok squad. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has, however, resisted calling up a player to replace Kolisi as he feels there is enough cover at loose forward. Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit is also injured and will not play on Saturday. Erasmus is expected to name his team for Saturday's match around mid-day on Tuesday. The Bok boss revealed earlier in the day on Monday that centre Jesse Kriel would captain the Boks this weekend.
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Springboks sent TWO players back to franchises
Rassie Erasmus has called up experienced wing Makazole Mapimpi to the squad, as Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse were released from the Springboks squad. These changes come ahead of the Springboks' second Rugby Championship match against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon. Kolisi and Arendse both suffered injuries in last weekend's 38-22 defeat against Australia and are expected to be sidelined for a few weeks. While there is enough cover in the squad at loose forward, Erasmus opted to call up Mapimpi as backline cover. He will join his team-mates in Cape Town on Monday night. The double Rugby World Cup-winner currently boasts 47 Test matches and will undoubtedly boost the experience to the Bok backline. The match at the DHL Stadium kicks off at 17h10 on Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport. 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.
