Dave
Please refer to the following article about the Under 20 selection:-
“South Africa Under-20 head coach, Dawie Theron, has
picked a strong match-day squad for their World Rugby Under-20 Championship
opener against Japan on Tuesday.
Of the 23 players, seven have represented different
universities in the Varsity Cup, while two did duty for the Varsity Shield's
UKZN. The future of South African rugby is also represented by six Young Guns
players.
UP-Tuks have the most players in the Junior Bok team
to face Japan with seven across all Varsity Cup competitions.
In the starting line-up, centre JT Jackson and lock
Eli Snyman represented UP-Tuks in the Varsity Cup, while prop Jaco Holtzhausen
donned UP-Tuks Young Guns colours this season. On the bench, a further four
players ran out for UP-Tuks Young Guns this year and they are: hooker Franco
van der Berg, prop Jan-Henning Campher, loose forward Denzel Hill and utility
back Franco Naude.
UP-Tuks Young Guns head coach, Jaco Pienaar, who orchestrated
his team's title-winning campaign in his first year in charge, is happy for his
players that were selected for the opening match.
"I'm glad for our guys. It is a great honour to
play for your country and play on the international stage. We are very proud of
them," said Pienaar.
The Junior Springboks face Japan Under-20 at the
Academy Stadium in Manchester, England.
Kick-off is scheduled for 16:15 (SA time) on Tuesday.
Junior Springbok team:
15. Curwin Bosch (UKZN), 14. S’busiso Nkosi (UKZN),
13. Jeremy Ward (captain, NMMU), 12. JT Jackson (UP-Tuks), 11. Mosolwa Mafuma
(UFS), 10. Manie Libbok, 9. James Hall, 8. Junior Pokomela (NMMU), 7. Ernst van
Rhyn, 6. Zain Davids, 5. Eli Snyman (UP-Tuks), 4. Cobus Wiese, 3. Jaco
Holtzhausen (UP-Tuks Young Guns), 2. Tango Balekile (NMMU), 1. Kwenzo Blose
(UFS Young Guns)
Substitutes: 16. Franco van den Berg (UP-Tuks Young
Guns), 17. Jan-Henning Campher (UP-Tuks Young Guns), 18. Carlü Sadie, 19. Ruben
de Villiers, 20. Denzel Hill (UP-Tuks Young Guns), 21. Embrose Papier, 22.
Franco Naude (UP-Tuks Young Guns), 23. Keanu Vers (NMMU)”
Please
note that the Varsity Cup final was between Stellebosch and Potchefstroom
Universities – but neither has seemingly any representatives in the team –
while the under-performing PE University (NMMU) has a whole bunch of players. Not a good sign I am afraid.
