The final selection for the imminent World Rugby U20 Championship has been officially unveiled, and it brings the return of familiar faces to represent the Junior Springboks. This robust squad comprises a lineup of exceedingly skilled players, including Porthen, van Heerden, Moos, Julius, and Bester, all of whom demonstrated their prowess at the home-ground tournament last year.
Bafana Nhleko, the coach of the Junior Boks, articulated the challenges encountered in forming the 30-member squad, underscoring the unwavering commitment and resilience exhibited by the training contingent. Difficult decisions were requisite to assemble the most formidable team for the competition, yet Nhleko lauded all the players for their dedication and sacrifices.
Looking ahead, the primary focus will be on fostering unity within the squad, and Nhleko conveyed his enthusiasm for the forthcoming challenge. The players are eager to etch their own narrative in the championship, drawing confidence from the collective hard work and diligence.
Preparations for the forthcoming tournament are already in motion subsequent to the team’s return from Brisbane last month, where they participated in the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship organized by SANZAAR. According to Nhleko, the competition proved to be a valuable learning experience, offering the team crucial insights and identifying areas for improvement, whilst also facilitating growth as a unit.
The Junior Boks find themselves placed in Pool C alongside Fiji, Argentina, and England, and will be intent on building upon their third-place finish from 2023. The championship is scheduled to commence on 29 June in Cape Town, with subsequent pool match days on 4 and 9 July. The playoffs, encompassing the semi-finals and final matches, are slated for 14 and 19 July correspondingly.
The Junior Boks’ inaugural match will be against Fiji on 29 June at DHL Stadium, followed by encounters against Argentina on 4 July in Stellenbosch and England on 9 July at Athlone Stadium. Tickets for the championship are now available for purchase, with prices ranging from R35 for children to R75 for adults, offering admission to three matches at each venue.
The roster for the World Rugby U20 Championship comprises a talented ensemble of players, including several emerging stars from various rugby clubs. Spanning across positions such as props, hookers, scrumhalves, flyhalves, centres, and outside backs, the team is teeming with promising talent, each player eagerly anticipating the opportunity to leave their mark on the international stage.
With the remarkable lineup of players and the unwavering dedication of the coaching staff, the Junior Springboks are poised to deliver a captivating performance in the championship as they strive to attain their ultimate objective of clinching victory and bringing pride to their nation on the global stage.