The head coach of SA U20, Bafana Nhleko, has announced the 31-player touring group for the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship in Australia. This squad comprises of five members from last year’s Junior Springbok squad, including players who participated in the previous year’s World Rugby U20 Championship in Cape Town.
Organized by SANZAAR, this first-ever tournament will bring emerging U20 players from South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia together in Queensland next month. The event will feature a round-robin format where all teams will compete against each other once, with the top team being declared the champion after the three-round, six-match tournament.
Following an intense period of preparations at the SA Rugby Academy training group at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sports, the squad will tour the Sunshine Coast region in Australia. This tour will provide the players with an opportunity to gain experience in a different environment and culture, as well as allow the coaching staff to fine-tune their team selection before the world championship.
Nhleko has stated that the players have responded positively to the preparations and are eagerly anticipating the tournament. The Sunshine Coast tournament will provide the players with essential playing time against high-quality opposition and a demanding competition environment to test combinations, and will assist the coaching staff in refining their team selection before the world championship.
The Junior Bok squad for the U20 Rugby Championship will include players from both the forwards and the backs. The players have expressed their enthusiasm as they look forward to this experience.
The Junior Springboks are scheduled to depart for Australia on Wednesday 24 April, returning on Tuesday 14 May. All matches will take place at the Sunshine Coast Stadium.
The U20 Rugby Championship schedule has also been announced, featuring matches involving the Junior Boks, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina.
With the Junior Bok squad now confirmed and the U20 Rugby Championship on the horizon, the future of South African rugby appears promising. This event presents an exciting opportunity for these young players to showcase their talent on the international stage and gain valuable experience.