Junior Boks surprise with overseas pick
The Junior Springboks have reportedly left local rugby bosses concerned after naming a France-based player in the squad for the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship.
The Junior Springboks have reportedly left local rugby bosses concerned after naming a France-based player in the squad for the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship.
Head coach Bafana Nhleko has included five members of last year’s Junior Springbok squad in the 31-player tour group for the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship.
The SA Rugby Academy is busy with final preparations before the Junior Springbok squad is named for the U20 Rugby Championship in Australia in May.
Sanzaar has announced the match schedule and venue for the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship in Australia in May.
Junior Springbok head coach Bafana Nhleko said the players in the U20 Academy squad were tested at various levels when they faced a senior Lions XV in a training match in Johannesburg on Thursday.
The SA Rugby Academy finished their first week of squad preparation in Stellenbosch with a workout session against UWC, which left the Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko a pleased man.
The 12 best U20 sides in the world will return to South Africa in June after World Rugby announced on Wednesday that the U20 World Championship will again be hosted in the Western Cape.
Four Junior Springboks will attend this year’s 35-player SA Rugby Academy Programme to continue preparations for the international youth season.
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.
An U20 version of the Rugby Championship will start in 2024 to create a pathway for youngsters from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, SANZAAR said.