The Junior Springbok squad for the forthcoming World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Cape Town was announced on Friday.
Zachary Porthen – one of five players who will feature in the tournament for a second time – was named as the captain of the team.
In addition from Porthen – who will pack down at prop – the other players who played in the tournament on home soil last year are JF van Heerden (lock), Asad Moos (scrumhalf), Jurenzo Julius (centre) and Litelihle Bester (wing).
‘High level of commitment and desire’
Junior Bok coach Bafana Nhleko acknowledged the difficulty in finalising the 30-man squad due to the high level of commitment and desire shown by the entire training group.
“We had to make some tough decisions to choose what we as coaches believe would be the best selection for the competition,” Nhleko explained.
“I commend all the guys who have been part of the journey thus far and the sacrifices made, but from hereon, the focus will be towards building cohesion within the squad.
“We are excited for the challenge that lies ahead, the players are keen to create their own story and we can only take confidence from the work that the group has put in.”
The training squad reconvened this week to begin their preparations since their return from Brisbane last month, where they participated in the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship arranged by SANZAAR.
Nhleko said: “That tournament gave us an opportunity to play in three very tough, competitive matches, presented us with key learnings and areas to work on, but we also grew as a group. We are keen to keep driving good behaviours and build on the positive aspects of our performances.”
The Junior Boks are grouped in Pool C with Fiji, Argentina and England.
France will defend the title they won in Cape Town last year, and the SA U20s will look to improve on their bronze medal from 2023.
The tournament kicks off on 29 June in Cape Town at the Cape Town Stadium and Athlone Stadium, with subsequent pool match days scheduled for 4 and 9 July.
The playoffs, including the semi-finals for the top four sides, will be staged on 14 July, with the final and ranking matches on 19 July.
The Junior Boks will start their campaign on Saturday, 29 June against Fiji in the Cape Town Stadium, followed by pool games against Argentina on 4 July (Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch) and England on 9 July (Athlone Stadium).
Tickets for the world event are priced at R35 for children 18 years old and younger, and R75 for adults and are available from Ticketmaster, with admission including three encounters at every venue.
Junior Springbok squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship:
Props: Casper Badenhorst (Bulls), Liyema Ntshanga, (Cheetahs), Reno Hirst (Golden Lions), Zachary Porthen (captain, Western Province), Ruan Swart (Bulls)
Hookers: Ethan Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luca Bakkes (Western Province), Juan Smal (Bulls)
Locks: Adam de Waal (Western Province), JF van Heerden (Bulls), Thomas Dyer (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Loose forwards: Batho Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Divan Fuller (Western Province), Keanu Coetsee (Bulls), Sibabalwe Mahashe (Golden Lions), Thabang Mphafi (Golden Lions), Tiaan Jacobs (Biarritz)
Scrumhalves: Asad Moos (Western Province), Ezekiel Ngobeni (Western Province)
Flyhalves: Liam Koen (Bulls), Tylor Sefoor (Cheetahs)
Centres: Bruce Sherwood (Western Province), Joshua Boulle (Western Province), Jurenzo Julius (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Philip-Albert van Niekerk (Bulls)
Outside backs: JC Mars (Western Province), Joel Leotlela (Western Province & SA Sevens), Litelihle Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Likhona Finca (Golden Lions), Michail Damon (Bulls)
