Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has named an extended training squad of 38 players, with the majority set to assemble in Stellenbosch from Monday as preparations intensify ahead of the forthcoming Junior World Championship in Georgia.
Ten members of the extended squad have been called up to the senior Springbok group for the clash against the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ fixture against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha on 20 June, while Cheswill Jooste is still with the Vodacom Bulls, who have qualified for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final.
The remaining 27 players will report for duty in Stellenbosch on Monday, while the players who are in the wider Springbok squad will rejoin the U20s upon completion of their senior commitments.
The Junior Bok training group consists entirely of players who have attended previous training camps in Stellenbosch, as well as the recent U20 International Series and the SANZAAR U20 Rugby Championship, both of which were won by South Africa.
Junior Bok captain Riley Norton (lock) is one of the players called up to Springbok duty, and he will be joined in Johannesburg by Oliver Reid and Danie Kruger (props); Siphosethu Mnebelele and Liam van Wyk (hookers); Vusi Moyo (flyhalf) Yaqeen Ahmed (flyhalf/centre), Luan Giliomee (utility back); Markus Muller (centre); and Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback).
Jooste (wing) will only join later when he has completed his Vodacom URC duties with the Vodacom Bulls, while Kai Pratt (prop) was not considered for the camp due to injury.
The players released from Springbok and Vodacom URC duty will join the Junior Boks before their departure to Georgia on Monday, 22 June.
Foote said the SA U20 group assembling in Stellenbosch from Monday would focus on fine-tuning their readiness for the global showpiece in Georgia.
“We are very excited for the players who have been called up to the senior Springbok group, and we have our contingencies in place as we continue with our final block of preparations,” said Foote.
“Given the number of players called up to the Springboks, we have selected a wider training group for this camp in Stellenbosch.
“We are also pleased that we were able to give members of our extended training group game time during the recent U20 International Series and the U20 Rugby Championship. That gave us an excellent opportunity to continue building squad depth and cohesion, while also broadening our international experience.”
Junior Bok wider training squad to assemble on Monday in Stellenbosch:
Props: Rambo Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Jooste (DHL Stormers), Luan van der Berg (Vodacom Bulls), Bongani Dlamini (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Altus Rabe (DHL Stormers), Mahle Sithole (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).
Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), JD Hattingh (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Jaythen Orange (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).
Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Vodacom Bulls), Risima Khosa (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Luke Cannon (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Wasi Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quintin Potgieter (DHL Stormers), Vuyo Gwiji (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Gert Kemp (DHL Stormers), Thomas Beling (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).
Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Jayden Brits (DHL Stormers).
Centres: Ethan Adams (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Stormers), Pieter van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls).
Outside backs: Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Stormers), Jack Benade (DHL Stormers), Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Akahluwa Boqwana (Vodacom Bulls).
The following group of players will join the Junior Bok training squad on completion of their Springbok and/or Vodacom URC duties: Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers), Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers), Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Riley Norton (DHL Stormers),Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers), Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
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New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia are the most successful teams in the history of the Rugby World Cup, with each country winning the tournament three times. New Zealand claimed the title in 1987, 2011, and 2015, while South Africa was victorious in 1995, 2007, and 2019. Australia won the tournament in 1991 and 1999.