Fresh Faces for Junior Bok Training Camp

Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has underlined the importance of mental freshness and strong technical foundation as he prepares to welcome a 42-man training squad to Stellenbosch on Wednesday, 21 January, with a number of last year’s SA U18 players invited to the camp.

The camp marks a major step in the SA U20s’ campaign for 2026, with the squad featuring a strategic mix of battle-hardened regulars and exciting talent graduating from the successful SA U18’s, while 13 players who toured France and Ireland towards the end of last year with the SA U19’s, will return to Stellenbosch.

According to Foote, a significant focus of the selection process was managing the workload of the younger contingent. The Junior Bok coach said that several players were not selected for the European tour last November to allow them to recover from a taxing year that included Grade 12 exams, their school programmes, the FNB U18 Craven Week and the U18 International Series.

“Bringing them in fresh is a big positive for us – they are training hard with the unions and we’re expecting them to do really well,” said Foote.

“I believe it isn’t a lack of talent for us; it’s about making sure we get the foundation of the culture and the environment right for these young men to excel.”

The new players invited to the camp include Kai Pratt and JG Badenhorst (props), AJ Meyer (lock), Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera and Gert Kemp (loose forwards), Yaqeen Ahmed (flyhalf), Markus Miller and Ethan Adams (centres), as well as speedy Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback).

While the squad has been bolstered by last year’s U18 stars, there is also a return to some familiar players, such as last year’s Junior Bok captain Riley Norton, as well as his fellow 2025 Junior World Championship winners Oliver Reid, Rambo Kubheka, Siphosethu Mnebelele and Alzeadon Felix.

Flyhalf Vusi Moyo, another member of last year’s successful Junior Bok side, has not made the squad as he is busy with rehabilitation following a minor hip operation to ensure he is ready for the forthcoming international season.

Wing Cheswill Jooste is another 2025 Junior Bok stalwart who remains firmly in the selection mix but will instead continue his duties with the Vodacom Bulls in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, while utility back Luan Giliomee is currently part of the Springbok Sevens programme.

Foote explained the forthcoming camp will serve as a high-intensity training and technical preparation block, with a focus to sharpen the traditional Junior Bok DNA elements – set-piece dominance, kicking game, solid defence and attacking flair, in addition to getting grips with their game model.

“We go pretty hard at our DNA and we want to make sure we put a good set-piece platform together,” said Foote. “The focus is also on game management – understanding which parts of the field we want to play and maintaining a high tempo.”

The squad will undertake a short tour of three matches to Georgia, leaving on 15 February and returning on 28 February. In preparation of the tour the camp schedule includes training matches against the FNB Varsity Cup sides UCT and Maties.

“These sessions are vital preparation for a challenging tour to Georgia, where the squad will face extreme conditions, including training and playing in temperatures below freezing,” said Foote.

“The Georgian tour will test us with regards to the conditions and the culture, but it’s a great opportunity to focus on what we can control. We want to focus on our team combinations, understanding our culture, and creating those moments together that you can reflect on when hard times come.”

Junior Bok squad for Stellenbosch training camp:

Forwards (25):

Props: Oliver Reid (DHL Western Province), Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kai Pratt (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Toyota Cheetahs), Ruan Smuts (Toyota Cheetahs), JG Badenhorst (Toyota Cheetahs), Danie Kruger (DHL Western Province).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Mahle Sithole (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), JP Lombaard (Vodacom Bulls), James Schnetler (Fidelity ADT Lions), Riley Norton (DHL Western Province,) JD Hattingh (Fidelity ADT Lions), AJ Meyer (DHL Western Province).

Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Vodacom Bulls), Alutha Wesi (DHL Western Province), Luke Canon (Fidelity ADT Lions), Franko Rossouw (Vodacom Bulls), Risima Khosa (Fidelity ADT Lions), Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vuyo Gwiji (Fidelity ADT Lions), Gert Kemp (DHL Western Province), Reuben Kruger (DHL Western Province).

Backs (16):

Scrumhalves: Matthew Fick (Vodacom Bulls), Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Denilo Jordaan (Durban Varsity College).

Flyhalf: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Western Province), Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Centres: Pieter van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls), Christian Vorster (Vodacom Bulls), Ethan Adams (Fidelity ADT Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Western Province), Markus Muller (DHL Western Province).

Outside backs: Dylan Miller (DHL Western Province), Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Western Province), Lindsey Jansen (Fidelity ADT Lions), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Reinhardt Viljoen (Fidelity ADT Lions), Aidan Bester (Saldanha RFC).