The Junior Springboks are set to participate in the World Rugby U20 Championship, which will take place in Cape Town, Paarl, and Stellenbosch later this month. The team’s head coach, Bafana Nhleko, has announced the squad for the championship, marking its return to the calendar after two years.
Experienced players to lead the team
Paul de Villiers and Katlego Letebele, both experienced players, will rejoin the Junior Springboks for their second stint as captain and vice-captain, respectively. The duo had previously represented South Africa in the Six Nations U20 Summer Series in Italy last year.
Talented players in the team
The team comprises talented players in various positions, including props, hookers, locks, loose forwards, scrumhalves, flyhalves, centers, and outside backs. Zachary Porthen, who captained the SA Schools side in the previous year, and two of his U18 teammates from 2022, Litelihle Bester and JF van Heerden, will also join the squad. Furthermore, the team gains a Blitzbok speedster in the form of Masande Mtshali, who debuted for the national sevens team earlier this season and has already played in four tournaments on the World Rugby Sevens Series.
Coach enthusiastic about the selected players
Nhleko is enthusiastic about the selected players, saying, “This selection is a great testimony of SA Rugby’s Elite Player Development programme paying dividends, and I’m very excited to take these players into the tournament.” He believes that the squad has a well-balanced mix of quality players who can perform well on the field.
Real challenge yet to come
Nhleko acknowledged the players who competed during the SA Rugby Academy phase but didn’t make the final squad. According to him, they could easily fit into the team if needed, as they are familiar with the structures and playing style. While congratulating the selected players, Nhleko emphasized that the real challenge is yet to come. He said, “It’s a massive task to play in a world championship and even bigger privilege to be playing at home. With the challenge comes a big responsibility.”
Playing at home adds pressure
The Junior Springboks will be playing in their home country, which adds pressure to their performance. However, Nhleko sees this as a positive aspect, saying, “We have a wonderful opportunity to play in front of our family and friends and in familiar conditions, and we need to make the most of it.”
Anticipation for the tournament is high
The tournament’s anticipation is high, particularly since it was last held in 2019. As the Junior Springboks prepare for the championship, their performance will be closely watched by fans, family, and friends. The World Rugby U20 Championship is expected to be a thrilling event, showcasing the skills and talents of these remarkable young rugby players.
