A squad of 30 players will depart to Georgia on Sunday as the Junior Springboks kick off their 2025 season with a short tour, which features three matches and forms an integral part of the national Under-20 group’s preparations for the forthcoming season.
The Junior Boks are set to play in the 2025 editions of the Sanzaar-organised U20 Rugby Championship (April and May) and the World Rugby U20 Championship (June and July).
The tour squad was selected from the ranks of the SA Rugby U20 Academy training group, which is currently working hard in Stellenbosch.
The Junior Boks will play three matches during their two-week tour – a club fixture against Lelo Saracens, which is followed by two internationals against their Georgian U20 counterparts.
They are scheduled to leave on 16 February and play their first match against the club side on 19 February, with the two internationals against Georgia U20 earmarked for 23 and 28 February, before they return to South Africa on 1 March.
In announcing the tour squad to Georgia, Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote said: “We are very happy with where the squad is at the moment and grateful for the hit out against Maties (last week) and training exercise against Ikeys earlier today. Following these two training games, it’s then a case of fine-tuning our planning for Georgia.”
According to Foote, they are on track with their overall preparations for the international season: “This block is all about getting our set piece, kicking game and skills execution where it needs to be. All the coaches have done a really good job in this respect, and I am grateful for all their hard work.”
Regarding the selection of the Junior Bok tour squad, Foote added: “We looked at the squad and we are getting the balance right and are grateful that we could put such a talented group together.”
“There are still several players who haven’t been considered because they are either in the mix for their Vodacom URC franchises or the Blitzboks, or are out injured, but I think for now we are comfortable with the squad.”
Some of those players not available for selection include, amongst others, Jaco Williams, Gino Cupido and JC Mars.
As far as leadership of the group is concerned, Foote explained: “Riley Norton did a good job for us in this respect against Maties, with Haashim Pead assisting him.
“Today’s session against UCT was another good opportunity for the group to test themselves and once we are on our way, we will turn our focus towards Georgia. It is great to see the hard work of the staff is really paying dividends in terms of our performances.”
Junior Springbok tour squad to Georgia:
Props: Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Ranon Fouché (Vodacom Bulls), Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Tebogo Nkosi (Toyota Cheetahs), Oliver Reid (DHL WP).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebele (Vodacom Bulls), HB Odendaal (Fidelity ADT Lions), Juandré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls).
Locks: Kuhle Mthimkhulu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Riley Norton (DHL WP), Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Morné Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions).
Loose forwards: Divan Fuller (DHL WP), Batho Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Stephanus Linde (Toyota Cheetahs), Yabo Ndzamela (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Xola Nyali (DHL WP), Thando Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions).
Scrumhalves: Zeke January (Vodacom Bulls), Ceano Everson (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Haashim Pead (Fidelity ADT Lions).
Flyhalves: Matthew Coetzee (Fidelity ADT Lions), JT Kapank (Vodacom Bulls).
Centres: Scott Nel (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Dominic Malgas (DHL WP), Pieter van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls).
Outside backs: Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), Gilermo Mentoe (Fidelity ADT Lions), Siya Ndlozi (DHL WP), Chijindu Okonta (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Match schedule:
Wednesday, 19 February: Junior Boks vs Lelo Saracens (15h00)
Sunday, 23 February: Junior Boks vs Georgia U20 (16h00)
Friday, 28 February: Junior Boks vs Georgia U20 (15h00)