So D ave how good is the squad?
Ex supersport
There is a strong core of experienced players for the Junior Springboks to draw on when they go out to regain their IRB Junior World Championship crown in New Zealand in June.
The 28 man squad, comprising 17 forwards and 11 backs, was named in Cape Town on Tuesday following an extensive selection process involving SA under-20 coach Dawie Theron as well as national selectors Ian McIntosh and Peter Jooste. Of the 28, five players already boast experience of Vodacom Super Rugby, while three players were part of the squad that played in last year’s Junior World Championship.
The Junior Boks won the title in 2012 when South Africa hosted the event, and Handre Pollard, then a Western Province schoolboy but now capped for the Bulls as a flyhalf, is the sole survivor from that tournament. Aidon Davis of the Southern Kings and Jesse Kriel of the Blue Bulls were, along with Pollard, also members of last year’s squad that competed in France.
Winger Sergeal Petersen, who was such a hit with the Southern Kings in last year’s Super Rugby, was selected to be part of last year’s group but was unable to make it because of injury. He gets his chance this time. Apart from Pollard, Davis and Petersen, the other players to have played Super Rugby are the Sharks’ Andre Esterhuizen and Malcolm Marx of the Lions.
The SA under-20’s claimed a bronze in France last year and will be going all out to recapture the glory of the previous season in New Zealand, with the tournament starting on 2 June and ending on 22 June. The squad includes three players who have famous Springbok fathers – Jean-Luc du Plessis (Sharks) who is the son of the legendary Prince of Wings, Carel du Plessis, and the Du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Daniel, the twin sons of former Bulls and Sharks Bok scrumhalf Robert du Preez,
The Du Preez’s elder brother, Robert, was part of last year’s squad. There are two sets of twins in the squad, with the Bulls’ Jesse Kriel and Dan joining the Du Preez twins and Du Plessis in making it a bit of a family affair.
The squad will play a three match series against Argentina under-20 on 2, 6 and 10 May.
Interesting facts:
•There are 17 forwards and 11 backs in the squad. As in previous years, the Blue Bulls have supplied the most players (13), followed by the Sharks (5).
•The squad includes two sets of twin brothers, Jean-Luc (flank) and Daniel du Preez (lock, both Cell C Sharks) and the Kriel twins, Jesse (fullback) and Dan (centre, both Vodacom Blue Bulls).
•The Du Preez twins follow in the footsteps of their older brother Robert, who played flyhalf and centre last year for the Junior Springboks in France. The trio is the sons of former Springbok scrumhalf Robert du Preez.
•Flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis (Cell C Sharks) is the son of former Springbok wing and coach Carel du Plessis.
•The squad will play a three-match international series against Argentina U20 on May 2, 6 and 10.
•Their departure to NZ from Cape Town International Airport will be on May 26, a day after the capping ceremony in Stellenbosch.
The Junior Springboks’ 2014 JWC fixtures:
2 June: SA vs Scotland (North Harbour)
6 June: SA vs New Zealand (North Harbour)
10 June: SA vs Samoa (Pukekohe)
15 June: Playoffs (Tbc)
20 June: Finals (Auckland)
The squad is:
Cyle Brink (Golden Lions, flank)
Aidon Davis (EP Kings, No.8)
Jean-Luc du Plessis (Cell C Sharks, flyhalf)
Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks, flank)
Dan du Preez (Cell C Sharks, lock)
Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks, prop)
Joseph Dweba (Toyota Free State, hooker)
Corniel Els (Vodacom Blue Bulls, hooker)
Andrè Esterhuizen ( Cell C Sharks, centre)
Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Blue Bulls, fullback)
Lloyd Greef (Leopards, wing)
Dan Kriel (Vodacom Blue Bulls, centre)
Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Blue Bulls, fullback)
Wilco Louw (Vodacom Blue Bulls, prop)
Thabo Mabuza (Golden Lions, flank)
Malcolm Marx (Golden Lions, hooker)
Duncan Mathews (Vodacom Blue Bulls, wing)
Mthokozisi (Zee) Mkhabela (Toyota Free State, scrumhalf)
Ngobisizwe Mxoli (Vodacom Blue Bulls, prop)
Abongile Nonkontwana (Vodacom Blue Bulls, lock)
Sergeal Petersen (EP Kings, wing)
Handrè Pollard (Vodacom Blue Bulls, flyhalf)
JD Schickerling (DHL Western Province, lock)
Pierre Schoeman (Vodacom Blue Bulls, prop)
Victor Sekekete (Golden Lions, flank)
Justin (JP) Smith (Vodacom Blue Bulls, scrumhalf)
Dayan van der Westhuizen (Vodacom Blue Bulls, prop)
Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Vodacom Blue Bulls, lock)
