Five players to watch as Junior Springboks gear up for Currie Cup challenge
Image: Maurilio Boldrini / World Rugby
After their success at the World Rugby U20 Championship, several Junior Springboks will get a well-deserved break, but then it is straight back into the Currie Cup at their respective unions.
While the tournament, kicking off this weekend, is not as prestigious as in previous years, the developmental aspect of it could aid some of the U20 players taking part. This will be a perfect platform from which they can launch their senior careers, looking at cracking a nod at their United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises.
We look at five players who must take the next step in their careers.
Haashim Pead (Lions)
The Junior Bok vice-captain could be the perfect understudy to Springbok Morné van den Berg when it comes to the URC. For that to happen, the Lions must back him in the Currie Cup and give him as many minutes as possible to find his feet.
Pead has the pedigree to become great at the union, but it will all depend on how they utilise him. His instinctive plays will suit the Lions' game.
He is quick behind the breakdown, and Pead has this ability to see space that few scrumhalves in South Africa possess. His kicking game will also benefit from senior rugby.
Batho Hlekani (Sharks)
Hopefully, the Durban side will have a proper plan and pathway for his special talent after showing off his all-around skills in the U20 Championship. Hlekani was the physical heartbeat of the Baby Boks.
But he is not just a strong defender, although the opposition felt his hard hits right through the tournament, Hlekani is also a strong ball carrier. While he knows how to take the ball up into tackles with his direct plays, he also has a keen eye for gaps and a great turn of pace.
Vusi Moyo (Sharks)
Another young South African flyhalf with a good all-round game. He was running the attacking show of the Junior Boks alongside Pead and looked to be in total control when it came to spreading the ball down the backline or taking it up himself.
Moyo can be physical too and doesn't back down from the dirty work in contact. He compliments that attacking gameplay well with his kicking and he looks so calm with the ball in hand or when putting it up in the sky. The real test will come when he plays against seasoned Currie Cup players.
Cheswill Jooste (Bulls)
He's been likened to Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe for his pace and stepping exploits during the tournament, and the way he scored tries, chased high kicks, and sidestepped opponents showed why he was one of the stars of the side.
The Bulls' game will suit Jooste and the players around him should be able to get him into space whenever he gets a run for the side. He ran circles around his opposition in Italy, but must now step it up against some of his teammates who know him and other more experienced wings in the tournament.
Riley Norton (Western Province)
A leader of men and Western Province will have to look after their Junior Springbok-winning captain in the future. While they have some big names when it comes to the lock position, it will be crucial to get Norton involved in their campaign.
Alongside Hlekani, Norton led the physical charge of the team throughout the tournament. However, his leadership qualities and how he kept his team calm and fighting stood out. He leads by example when it comes to the physical things on the field and a campaign against hardened senior players will stand him in good stead.
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