The SA Rugby U19 Academy squad is packing some serious heat with five crowned Junior Boks from the World Rugby U20 Championship, ready to take on France and Ireland in a thrilling three-match tour. Among the elite are Riley Norton, Oliver Reid, Phiwayinkosi "Rambo" Kubheka, Siphosethu Mnebelele, and Vusi Moyo. These young gladiators are set to depart this Wednesday, diving headfirst into an international rugby crusade.
This tour isn't just about rucks and mauls; it's a critical phase in the SA Rugby's Elite Player Development (EPD) pathway, designed to season these youngsters with international exposure and ingraining the prestigious Junior Boks' culture. The action kicks off with an opposed training session against a French Invitational XV on November 3, followed by a face-off with the French U19s on November 8, and wrapping up against Ireland U19 on November 14.
Head coach Kevin Foote is all praises for the recent progress, emphasizing the importance of cultural immersion.
"It was an awesome camp and a great opportunity to immerse the guys in our culture, what it means to play for the Junior Springboks, how we want to play, and how we want to represent ourselves,"
said Foote. He also highlighted the continuity within the squad, with ten other players having brushed shoulders with Junior Bok preparations earlier this year.
The coaching roster is a who's who of rugby prowess, featuring the entire Junior Bok coaching team, including Thulani Nteta for Strength & Conditioning, Melusi Mthethwa overseeing the attack, and Lumumba Currie coaching the forwards. Unfortunately, the final squad announcement came with a tinge of disappointment as injuries sidelined lock James Schnetler and centre Samuel Badenhorst, with Thomas Beling stepping in as cover.
Despite the cuts, Coach Foote remains optimistic about the future.
"We are disappointed for the four players who left the camp today, but they leave with things to work on. We can only take 30 players,"
he remarked. For those bruised but not broken, more opportunities beckon, especially for the U18s emerging from this year’s school program.
The squad, buzzing with talent, is set to return to South Africa on November 16, hopefully with some hard-earned victories and invaluable experience under their belts. The full touring squad includes a blend of power and agility across all positions, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling international showcase.
Props: Oliver Reid, Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, Aphiwe Shelembe, Ulrich van der Merwe, Danie Kruger Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele, Mahle Sithole, Liam van Wyk Locks: Heinrich Theron, Riley Norton, JD Hattingh, Tom Barnard Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake, Vuyo Gwiji, Risima Khosa, Aiden de Costa, Reuben Kruger Scrumhalves: Brooklyn Newman, Elgernon Meyer Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo, Luan Giliome
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The SA Rugby U19 Academy squad is packing some serious heat with five crowned Junior Boks from the World Rugby U20 Championship, ready to take on France and Ireland in a thrilling three-match tour. Among the elite are Riley Norton, Oliver Reid, Phiwayinkosi "Rambo" Kubheka, Siphosethu Mnebelele, and Vusi Moyo. These young gladiators are set to depart this Wednesday, diving headfirst into an international rugby crusade.
This tour isn't just about rucks and mauls; it's a critical phase in the SA Rugby's Elite Player Development (EPD) pathway, designed to season these youngsters with international exposure and ingraining the prestigious Junior Boks' culture. The action kicks off with an opposed training session against a French Invitational XV on November 3, followed by a face-off with the French U19s on November 8, and wrapping up against Ireland U19 on November 14.
Head coach Kevin Foote is all praises for the recent progress, emphasizing the importance of cultural immersion.
"It was an awesome camp and a great opportunity to immerse the guys in our culture, what it means to play for the Junior Springboks, how we want to play, and how we want to represent ourselves,"
said Foote. He also highlighted the continuity within the squad, with ten other players having brushed shoulders with Junior Bok preparations earlier this year.The coaching roster is a who's who of rugby prowess, featuring the entire Junior Bok coaching team, including Thulani Nteta for Strength & Conditioning, Melusi Mthethwa overseeing the attack, and Lumumba Currie coaching the forwards. Unfortunately, the final squad announcement came with a tinge of disappointment as injuries sidelined lock James Schnetler and centre Samuel Badenhorst, with Thomas Beling stepping in as cover.
Despite the cuts, Coach Foote remains optimistic about the future.
"We are disappointed for the four players who left the camp today, but they leave with things to work on. We can only take 30 players,"
he remarked. For those bruised but not broken, more opportunities beckon, especially for the U18s emerging from this year’s school program.The squad, buzzing with talent, is set to return to South Africa on November 16, hopefully with some hard-earned victories and invaluable experience under their belts. The full touring squad includes a blend of power and agility across all positions, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling international showcase.
Props: Oliver Reid, Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, Aphiwe Shelembe, Ulrich van der Merwe, Danie Kruger
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele, Mahle Sithole, Liam van Wyk
Locks: Heinrich Theron, Riley Norton, JD Hattingh, Tom Barnard
Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake, Vuyo Gwiji, Risima Khosa, Aiden de Costa, Reuben Kruger
Scrumhalves: Brooklyn Newman, Elgernon Meyer
Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo, Luan Giliome