Imagine what Ackerman and this new coach would have done with last years side that included the likes of JF v Heerden, Divan Fuller, Zac Porthen, Jurenzo Julius, Bruce Sherwood and Josh Boulle
The way they have turned this squad around from their poor showings in the RC a few months ago is testament to quality coaching
They have just thrashed Scotland with their B side
um Dave....
not one to try and embarrass you (if that's even possible)... but maybe remove your search from your post.
Article states Kevin Foote as the coach not Ackerman???
Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has lauded his players for their character after demolishing Scotland in their last World Rugby U20 Championship group game in Calvisano.
The 73-14 victory means Foote’s troops remain unbeaten and top Pool A with a full house of 15 points from their three matches, and cement their place in the semi-finals.
Foote praised his players for executing the game plan and playing with intensity in what was another clinical performance laced with individual brilliance.
I am suspicious about the squad selection for the RC squad serieds hree months ago - while school rugby showed massive improvement in SA. The then squad could not beat the Aussie team and struggled againt Argentna - but lost against the AB's as well. A marketly different squad went to Itally and beat he three Round Robin games by huge margins - even England - who won the trophy in 2024 by the following margins:-
Australia = 73-17
England = 32-22
Scotland = 73-14
The point differneces were in total 115 points - putting the team in the number 1 position in the tournament having to play Argentina in the semi-final with En gland sent packing.
Aside from a changed squad - it is clear that Erasmus as Director of Rugby played a role in the improvment and that Ackerman is to be credited with a major impact on his involvement in the Junior system, Ackermann signed a contract with SARU placing him in charge of Under 18 (school Rugby) and Under 20 player development at the elite development center in Stellenbosch, That may prevent Ackerman from accepting the Bulls coaching job - he will need to get approvl from Erasmus if he is to become Bulls coach.
There are a few brilliant players in the present Under 20- squad that needs to be drafted into the Springbok squad as app. I saw the scrummie as one of hose to replace the geriatric Reinach as an example, There is also a center and wig I rate highly on their performances in all three matches th is year.
I am sure that the brilliance shown by three of th players equal what Sacha produce on the rugby fields and I am sure they are going to win in the Semi against Argentina on Monday. Not sure about which of France or AB's will win the other semi. I hope it is the AB's - we will massacre them the same way as hapened against Australia, An outcome against France is more difficult to predict,
In the meantime the South Western District school team has beaten the Bulls and Lions teams in the Under 18 series and will play the WP team in the unofficial final in the Craven school tournament this year, Some really good pospects coming throug h rom my residential area. The Bulls will have to exted their recruitment programs t SWD and WP schools. There is something in the water in the Western Cape turnng school chldren to develop as superkids when it comes to rugby,
Mike what part of the fact that there were hardly any changes made to the squad that played in the RC do you not get?
There were no more than 5 changes made
FACT
Dave
I wrote from meemory fi the players thata ctually played in the Fre matches concerned and apologize if I am wrong:-
RC Squad
Props: Ranon Fouché (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Herman Lubbe (DHL Western Province), Oliver Reid (DHL Western Province).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Jaundré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), HB Odendaal (Fidelity ADT Lions).
Locks: Neil Hansen (Fidelity ADT Lions), Morné Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions), Riley Norton (DHL Western Province), JJ Theron (Vodacom Bulls).
Loose forwards: Batho Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Xola Nyali (DHL Western Province), Matt Romao (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (DHL Western Province), Thando Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions).
Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Haashim Pead (Fidelity ADT Lions), Elrich Visser (Toyota Cheetahs).
Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kyle Smith (DHL Western Province).
Centres: Albie Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gino Cupido (DHL Western Province), Demitre Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Dominic Malgas (DHL Western Province).
Outside backs: Scott Nel (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gilermo Mentoe (Fidelity ADT Lions), Siya Ndlozi (DHL Western Province), Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), JC Mars (DHL Western Province).
WC Squad
Props: Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Herman Lubbe (DHL Western Province), Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Oliver Reid (DHL Western Province).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Jaundré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls).
Locks: Jaco Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Riley Norton (captain, DHL Western Province), JJ Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Morné Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions).
Loose forwards: Thando Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions), Bathobele Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (DHL Western Province), Xola Nyali (DHL Western Province), Matt Romao (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Stephanus Linde (Toyota Cheetahs).
Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Haashim Pead (Fidelity ADT Lions), Erich Visser (Toyota Cheetahs).
Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ian van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls).
Centres: Albie Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gino Cupido (DHL Western Province), Demitre Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Dominic Malgas (DHL Western Province).
Outside backs: Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), Gilermo Mentoe (Fidelity ADT Lions), Siya Ndlozi (DHL Western Province), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
So I apologize - but I lalso believe that there ere more offerences in the actual teams that playerd in the RC and WC repectively uin rgneral were sisastrous - the WC natches successful,
.
No there were no real changes - the only real change was bringing big lock Jaco Grobelaar into the squad but he did not start against Oz or NZ
The side is literally the same from 1 to 23 that played in the RC
The coaches have done a great job of turning the squad around from where they were in the RC
It is a less talented group than the 2024 squad but they had an insult of a coach who was way out of his depth - thankfully they sacked him and Jooste looks like he knows what he is doing with the help of Ackerman who is there as a consultant
In the RC the Springboks Juniors played shit rugby and in the WC the exact opposite. The coaching must be the real difference. However there are three players destined to play in the Spring bok squad by 2027 and those are to my mind Everson Jooste and Mentoe,
The big difference is the conditions. It is really hot and dry in Verona and it suits our boys perfectly.
When they played in the championship it was wet and rainy. They had no defence and the backline players was really small. I think it is same players. So if it was played in winter we would see a different result and we see it in the URC. On a dry hot tracks our teams com out on top. In the wet and up north it is a different story.
Pead looks like the real deal, hope he can make the step up and hopefully be a good addition. He'll be 21 in 2 years time
Mike you’ve missed the two best players in that squad
Pead at 9 has been sensational easily the best player at the competition
The hooker is very good as well as is Jooste on the wing as you mention
The props look good, the starting locks won’t pass as locks but would make useful blindsides
JJ Theron played 8 for Grey Bloem as is where he should be playing - not lock
Captain Norton is another - good athlete but not big enough for lock - played SA u19 cricket as a bowling allrounder
The loosies are very good especially the 8, Batho at 7 from my old school is a beast - the 6 is very good as is the reserve 7 - Romano or something - has high battle stats
I think it would be great for these boys to play in the Varsity Cup and keep track of their progress. Allow steady entry into the URC and Currie cup. Their bodies and game time needs to be managed well. Rugby also need to ensure they have a fall back profession. Smarter rugby players is better for our game
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The Haggis pipes got a proper stuffing. Thought this was the 2nd team after so many changes but another match where they scored more than 50.
Now set to finish as the top seed.
I hope this is the year for the baby boks. France still looks very strong but the baby boks dealt with England who are the former winners. Between France and England, it was a two horse race but the baby boks has now arrived.
Nice to see Ackerman influence and a things to come for the Bools if they hire him