The World Rugby U20 Championship is set to take place in South Africa this month. For New Zealand’s U20 team, this competition offers a rare opportunity for young, up-and-coming players to showcase their talents on an international stage. One of the players in the squad is South Africa-born scrumhalf Jordi Viljoen, whose inclusion highlights the global nature of rugby.
Viljoen’s connection to South African rugby runs deep, with his grandfather and father both having played at a high level. His grandfather, Joachim Frederick Viljoen, was capped six times for the Springboks in the 1970s. Additionally, his father, Joggie Junior, represented Western Province, the Stormers, and SA Schools in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Although Viljoen was born in Pretoria, he spent most of his life growing up in New Zealand after his family moved there when he was young. Now, he finds himself in a unique position: being a part of the New Zealand squad competing in a prestigious rugby championship hosted by his native country.
New Zealand’s U20 team is led by head coach Clark Laidlaw, with assistant coaches Marty Bourke and Wesley Clarke. The coaching staff selected 30 talented players to participate in the championship, following two closely contested games against the Junior Wallabies last week. Laidlaw expressed his appreciation for the players’ potential and enthusiasm for the upcoming competition.
In addition to finalizing the squad, Laidlaw appointed Noah Hotham from Tasman as the team’s captain. Peter Lakai from Wellington and Taha Kemara from Waikato were also named as vice-captains. These selections reflect the coaching staff’s confidence in these players’ abilities to lead the team in this highly competitive championship.
The World Rugby U20 Championship is a platform for young players to demonstrate their skills and determination, which can potentially pave the way for successful professional careers. For Viljoen, this championship holds personal significance, as he represents his adopted country in the land where his family’s rugby legacy began.
With such a promising group of young players, New Zealand’s U20 team is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the World Rugby U20 Championship. Viljoen’s inclusion adds an intriguing element to the competition, and it will be interesting to see how he performs. Regardless of the outcome, this tournament is sure to showcase the talents of some of the world’s most promising rugby players.
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