As the Junior Springboks continue with their preparations for their forthcoming tour to Georgia, their squad depth and forward dominance were on display during Tuesday’s training match against the University of Cape Town in Stellenbosch.
The SA U20S outplayed the defending FNB Varsity Cup champions with a brand of powerful forward play, with their tight-five providing the strong heartbeat of the engine room and the loose forwards securing fast ball at the breakdown, and speedy backs enjoying plentiful possession on attack.
No surprise that Junior Bok assistant coach Lumumba Currie, who oversees the forwards, expressed his satisfaction with the young men’s progression, highlighting a squad that is beginning to gel nicely.
While the Junior Boks managed to outscore UCT by a try count of 14 to five, the focus for Currie and the coaching staff remained firmly on the “big picture” – building a squad capable of competing successfully on the world stage.
Central to the day’s success was the performance of the forwards, with Currie crediting much of the pack’s cohesion to the intensive two-day forwards camp held at the start of the Stellenbosch training camp. This specialised preparation was designed to lay a technical foundation, ensuring the forwards could provide the front-foot ball necessary for the Junior Boks’ high-tempo game plan.
“If you've got a dominant pack that takes you forward, it makes it more comfortable for your strike runners,” Currie noted, referencing the confidence with which the backline can play when the platform is set.
Compared to last week’s two hit-outs against UCT and Maties, Tuesday’s improvement in the set-piece was particularly pleasing for the coaching staff.
Reflecting on last week’s outings, Currie admitted the scrum needed improvement after conceding some penalties in the first half of a previous match: “We had a tough conversation, and we admitted that we were below standards. We had to work on that, fix those outcomes, and the response from the guys was good.”
According to Currie, who was part of last year's successful Junior Bok team, one of the most striking takeaways from the Stellenbosch session was the seamless transition between the two playing units they fielded against the Ikeys.
“Selection at the moment is a headache, but it’s a good headache,” Currie said with a smile. “You can throw a guy in to start, or he can come in and finish a game.”
This depth is bolstered by a core group of returning players from the successful “Class of 2025”, who understand the rigours of a Junior World Championship cycle. Currie noted that these players are no longer just settling in but are actively driving the standards and taking ownership of the system.
Two recent additions to the training squad, Sibabalwe Booi (tighthead prop) and Owen Erasmus (flyhalf), also slotted in easily.
While the immediate focus is on the tour of Georgia and the U20 Rugby Championship, Currie revealed that the programme is being managed with a long-term vision. He pointed to the rapid ascent of players such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Zachary Porthen, who transitioned from the SA U20 ranks to the Springboks in less than two years, as the benchmark for the programme’s success.
“As much as we work on 2026, we’ve got an eye on 2027 as well,” Currie explained, emphasising the importance of building a sustainable pipeline of talent.
A total of 16 players who were part of the SA U18 squad last year are currently part of the Junior Bok training squad.
Although still very much in the pre-season phase, the Junior Springboks appear to be hitting their straps. With a focus on “high tempo, high skill,” a big shift in the scrums and a relentless breakdown presence, the side is beginning to mirror the identity Currie and the coaching staff demand.
The 40-player group will continue with their training in Stellenbosch before heading home for a few well-earned off days, before next weekend’s travel to Georgia, where they will play one match against the Lelo Saracens and two friendly internationals against the Georgians.