The Junior Springboks assembled in Gqeberha on Wednesday for the U20 Rugby Championship and the main focus at their first training session was to ensure clarity and alignment ahead of an opening match against Argentina next week.
SA, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia will play a series of double-headers against one another on May 1, 6 and 11 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
After the Gqeberha tournament, the Boks will compete at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy from June 29 to July 19.
Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote said his team was happy to be in the Eastern Cape for the tournament, which will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
After an early morning arrival at their hotel, the players underwent their mandatory medical check-ups before a recovery session.
After lunch, the Boks had an afternoon field session on the outside field of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Foote said he was satisfied with his team’s start in Gqeberha as they look towards making a winning start against a tough Argentina side.
“When we arrived at the airport, having the dignitaries welcome us in such a warm and hospitable manner felt special, and it’s a great honour,” he said.
“The marimba band playing with such great energy made it clear that people are very grateful to have rugby in the city at a national level.
“The big goal for us on Wednesday was all about clarity and ensuring the guys take what we learnt in those training camps in Stellenbosch and make sure that everybody’s aligned.
“We’re keeping things pretty simple, and we believe that our accountability will be important.
“The Rugby Championship is a great opportunity for our players to test their abilities against quality opposition from New Zealand, Australia and Argentina.
“We are looking forward to the challenge of playing in front of our passionate Eastern Cape fans.”
Foote said the Junior Boks medical team had played a crucial role in the preparations, ensuring players were fit and ready.
“The medical team have done a really good job, ensuring the players are fit, and we’ve got 31 keen players ready to go.
“Selection will be a challenge for us now, which is a good thing.
“The main thing is making sure the players are calm in their clarity so we can start to connect and establish that process into the championship.”
Junior Bok squad:
Props: Ranon Fouche (Bulls), Jean Erasmus (Bulls), Simphiwe Ngobese (Sharks), Herman Lubbe (Western Province), Oliver Reid (Western Province).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Jaundre Schoeman (Bulls), HB Odendaal (Lions).
Locks: Neil Hansen (Lions), Morne Venter (Lions), Riley Norton (Western Province), JJ Theron (Bulls).
Loose forwards: Batho Hlekani (Sharks), Xola Nyali (Western Province), Matt Romao (Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (Western Province), Thando Biyela (Lions).
Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Sharks), Haashim Pead (Lions), Elrich Visser (Cheetahs).
Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Kyle Smith (Western Province).
Centres: Albie Bester (Sharks), Gino Cupido (Western Province), Demitre Erasmus (Bulls), Dominic Malgas (Western Province).
Outside backs: Scott Nel (Sharks), Gilermo Mentoe (Lions), Siya Ndlozi (Western Province), Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), JC Mars (Western Province).
Gqeberha fixtures:
Thursday May 1, 2pm: New Zealand vs Australia, 4.10pm: Junior Boks vs Argentina.
Tuesday May 6, 2pm: New Zealand vs Argentina, 4.10pm: Junior Boks vs Australia.
Sunday May 11, 2pm: Argentina vs Australia, 4.10pm: Junior Boks vs New Zealand.
Tickets are priced at R20 a person and will be available at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium ticket office or online from Webtickets.
The Herald
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