Junior Bokkies Preparation For u/20 World Cup On Track

 

Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko lauded the attitude and work ethic of the players who are part of the SA Rugby Academy in Stellenbosch as the first block of the programme wrapped up with a training match against the Simbas from Kenya on Thursday morning.

While Nhleko said the result of the match against the Kenyans wasn't important, he stressed the need for the players to realise the increased pressure situations they can prepare for as the World Rugby Under-20 Championship moves into view.

The global showpiece for U20 teams will be hosted in South Africa from 24 June to 14 July across three venues in the Western Cape, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Wellington.

"The first month of the programme really flew by, and the boys have shown great attitude, working very hard on getting our fundamentals in place," said Nhleko.

"This first block was about assessment and we now need to progress to playing actual training games, so we're hoping to organise some more friendlies as part of our next block.

Action from the match between the SA Rugby Academy side and the Kenyan Simbas.

"I also have to laud the management team, especially some of the new guys who have come in, for the good energy they are bringing."

On the match against Kenyans on Thursday morning, Nhleko said: "Facing a senior national team was tough, but for us, the emphasis was on testing the fundamentals we've been working on, and to see where we are at.

"It was a good learning curve for the players, and I think they've seen what will be needed to execute under pressure.

"We're also in a fortunate position that we've not had any injuries, and we will now have to ensure we manage their workload while at the same time lifting the intensity."

u/20 World Cup Match Schedule

24 June 2023
11:00 Argentina vs Italy - Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
13:30 England vs Ireland - Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
14:00 France vs Japan - Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
16:00 Wales vs New Zealand - Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
16:30 Australia vs Fiji - Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
19:00 South Africa vs Georgia - Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch

29 June 2023
11:00 Australia vs Ireland - Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
13:30 France vs New Zealand - Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
14:00 Wales vs Japan - Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
16:00 South Africa vs Italy - Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
16:30 Argentina vs Georgia - Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
19:00 England vs Fiji - Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch

04 July 2023
11:00 Italy vs Georgia - Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
13:30 Ireland vs Fiji - Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
14:00 Australia vs England - Boland Stadium, Wellington
16:00 New Zealand vs Japan - Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
16:30 France vs Wales - Boland Stadium, Wellington
19:00 South Africa vs Argentina - Boland Stadium, Wellington

09 July 2023 - Semi Finals

14 July 2023 - Final

 

error: