The Junior Springboks are in the final stages of their preparations for the Under-20 Rugby Championship, set to take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha from 1 to 11 May, and according to the team’s coaching consultant Johan Ackermann, they are eager to showcase their skills against some of the world's best U20 teams.
Reflecting on their recent successful tour to Georgia, where the Junior Boks secured a 2-0 series win over their hosts in Tbilisi, Ackermann emphasised the importance of the lessons learned as they build towards next week’s opening round fixture against Argentina.
“The players are really looking forward to this exciting challenge that lies ahead – we are playing against three of the best teams in the world in New Zealand, Argentina, and Australia,” said Ackermann.
“We recently went to Georgia and saw things that we really had to work on. So, we are working hard these next couple of days, and did so even before the Easter break, to be prepared when the tournament kicks off.”
The Junior Boks will begin their campaign next Thursday against Argentina at 16h10, following the tournament opener between New Zealand and Australia at 14h00.
Ackermann, who together with SA U20 assistant coach Lumumba Currie are focusing on the forwards, highlighted the importance of the set pieces in their preparations: “We are working hard on our set piece because we know we are up against some of the best international teams that are going to test us on all fronts.”
The former Springbok lock, who has extensive coaching experience in South Africa, the UK and Japan, also expressed his excitement about playing in the Eastern Cape, a region known for its passion for rugby.
“It’s always good to be in the Eastern Cape where there is such a passion for the game,” said Ackermann. “We have a wonderful group of boys who are eager to learn and looking forward to testing their skills against the best in the Southern Hemisphere.”
Ackermann also noted the significance of hosting international rugby in the region again, recalling the last time the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium hosted international matches was in 2021, when the Springboks and Argentina met twice but with no spectators in attendance due to COVID restrictions.
Now, rugby enthusiasts have an opportunity to see the next generation of Springboks in action during the second edition of the U20 Rugby Championship, with the South Africans aiming to go one better than second place in last year’s event.
Rugby Championship U20 Fixtures (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium):
Thursday, 1 May
14h00: New Zealand vs Australia
16h10: Junior Boks vs Argentina
Tuesday, 6 May
14h00: New Zealand vs Argentina
16h10: Junior Boks vs Australia
Sunday, 11 May
14h00: Argentina vs Australia
16h10: Junior Boks vs New Zealand