Jurenzo Julius has outlined his desire to play a more active role in helping the Junior Springboks win the U20 World Championship on home soil this year.

Sharks back Julius was part of the 23-player group that took part in the first of two U20 alignment camps in Stellenbosch to prepare for a busy calendar, which includes the U20 World Championship being held in South Africa for the second year in a row.

Julius got his first taste of international rugby as part of the team that earned a bronze medal in last year’s World Cup, but says the class of 2024 is raring to win gold.

“I don’t want to be satisfied with a bronze medal two years in a row. I’m going to give my best to help the team reach the final and then pull through,” Julius told Netwerk24.

“It’s going to take everything from the first game to the fifth one from us. The other senior players will agree with me that a bronze is good, but certainly not good enough. Our team’s standard is higher than that.”

While he was still a greenhorn in the squad last year, Julius, nicknamed Boogieman, made it clear that he wants to be far more influential on and off the field for the Junior Springboks.

“As a newcomer, I was a bit quiet last year and just went with the flow with the senior players. However, this year I want to play a more active role. I have to be more proactive and make it clear what I expect from the team.”

Before the U20 World Championship, the Junior Springboks will play in the first-ever U20 Rugby Championship, along with Argentina, New Zealand, and hosts Australia.

“Last year we played against Currie Cup teams and club teams and although that helped, I think Test rugby will be even better because that level of preparation is something that was lacking last year,” Julius said.

Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images/World Rugby