Newly appointed Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote is excited about his new challenge and ready to roll up sleeves in preparation of laying the groundwork for what promises to be a busy season for the SA Under-20’s next year.
Foote and his fellow coaches, Lumumba Currie and Melusi Mthethwa, whose appointment was confirmed two weeks ago, have already started preparing for the inaugural SA Under-19 Academy camp in November and December in Stellenbosch.
“I am super excited about the next step in my coaching career, and it is an absolute honour and privilege to be involved with the Junior Springboks as we get ready to prepare the next generations of Springboks,” said Foote.
In explaining the reason for the forthcoming SA U19 Academy camps, he said: “We (Junior Bok coaching staff) are working closely with the Talent Management Department whose role is to assist and expose the new coaching staff to as many of the identified players as possible over the two-camp period.
“The main aim for now is for us to work with a full squad during the two camps, which will include two training matches, so that we have a clear picture for the selection of our SA Rugby Academy intake next year, which is the main building block in terms of pre-season training for the Junior Boks.
“Our coaching, medical and administrative staff have worked hard over the last few weeks to make the U19 Academy camp a reality, and I want to thank them, as well as the Talent Management Department and the other SA Rugby staff, for putting in place this exciting programme in such a short space of time.
“We are all excited to work with this very talented group, and the coaching staff and I cannot wait to get onto the training field to get the ball rolling,” added Foote.
Meanwhile, SA Rugby has announced a number of changes to the original group of 48 players to attend the camp from 18 to 30 November at the Stellenbosch Academy Sports (SAS).
A second camp of two weeks is set to be hosted at the same venue, from 8 to 21 December, whereafter the 2025 SA Rugby Academy programme will commence, as frontrunner for the selection of the next year’s Junior Springbok squad.
Divan Fuller (loose forward) and JC Mars (fullback) have been pulled into the DHL Stormers’ Vodacom United Rugby Championship training group and were replaced by Aiden Norris and (DHL WP) and JT Strydom (Toyota Cheetahs) respectively.
With Siya Ndlozi and Gino Cupido being involved with the SA Sevens Academy squad presently, it was decided to call up Chijindu Okonta (Hollywoodbets Sharks, left wing) and Daniel van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls, centre) in their place, while DHL WP flyhalf Dominic Malgas is also a new addition.
Furthermore, two players who are currently based in France – Christian Everitt and JC Viljoen – were replaced by HB Odendaal (Fidelity ADT Lions) and Imaani Phemba (Hollywoodbets Sharks), while Exauce Tshiamala has been withdrawn from the squad until his eligibility status has been confirmed.
Players who are in matric this year were not considered for the camps, but will get an opportunity to stake their claims next year.
SA Rugby have lined up a couple of fixtures for the U19 Academy squad, with a short international tour to Europe for the Junior Boks early in 2025 also on the cards before next year’s U20 Rugby Championship.
Details of the Academy fixtures and next year’s Junior Bok European tour will be announced once all arrangements have been confirmed.
Updated SA Rugby U19 Academy squad:
Props: Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Christoff Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Toyota Cheetahs), Ranon Fouche (Vodacom Bulls), Sandi Msengana (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Ali Thiam (Vodacom Bulls), Herman Lubbe (DHL Western Province).
Hookers: HB Odendaal (Fidelity ADT Lions), Imaani Pemba (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jaundre Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Stefan Venter (Toyota Cheetahs).
Locks: Danio Botha (DHL Western Province), Neil Hansen (Fidelity ADT Lions), Michael Versfeld (Vodacom Bulls), Ulrich van der Westhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kuhle Mthimkhulu (Hollywoodbets Sharks) Morne Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions), Eduan Vosloo (Vodacom Bulls).
Loose forwards: Aiden Norris (DHL Western Province), Xola Nyali (DHL Western Province), De Wet Grant Fourie (Fidelity ADT Lions), Bathobele Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Matt Romao (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Yabo Ndzamela (Hollywoodbets Sharks), JJ Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Thandolwethu Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions), Wandile Mlaba (DHL Western Province), Marco Ferreira (Vodacom Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Haashim Pead (Fidelity ADT Lions), Juan Loots (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Christiaan van der Westhuizen (Toyota Cheetahs), Zeke January (Vodacom Bulls).
Flyhalves: Kyle Smith (DHL Western Province), Dominic Malgas (DHL Western Province), JT Kapank (Vodacom Bulls).
Centres: Tirhani Masondo (Fidelity ADT Lions), Albie Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Daniel van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls), Demitre Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Scott Nel (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jody Schambreel (Fidelity ADT Lions).
Outside backs: Chijindu Okonta (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Riyaad Bam (Vodacom Bulls), JT Strydom (Toyota Cheetahs), Gilermo Mentoe (Fidelity ADT Lions), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).