Captain Riley Norton (lock), Oliver Reid, Rambo Kubheka (props), Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), Cheswill Jooste (wing), and Alzeadon Felix (fullback) were all part of the SA U20 side that won last year’s world championship in Italy.

Ten members of the junior World Cup squad were included in the wider Springbok group for the Barbarians fixture and the SA ‘A’ match against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha on 20 June, while Cheswill Jooste remains with the Vodacom Bulls, who have qualified for next Friday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship final against Leinster.

Stellenbosch

The squad consists entirely of players who have attended previous training camps in Stellenbosch, as well as the recent U20 International Series and the SANZAAR U20 Rugby Championship, both of which were won by South Africa.

Seven players in the squad are still U19 and eligible to play in next year’s JWC as well. They are Jordan Jooste and Luan van der Berg (props), Jaythen Orange (lock), Gert Kemp and Wasi Vyambwera (loose forwards), Ethan Adams (centre), and Jordan Steenkamp (wing).

Kevin Foote. Photo: Facebook

Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote said making the final squad decision was far from easy. “It was the most difficult decision for the fellow coaches and me. 

“Anyone of those not selected would have done a great job for us in Georgia. It was the most difficult decision we had to make because of the quality of players and the calibre of young men we’ve had the privilege of working with during the past six months in our programme.”

The Junior World Championship takes place from 27 June to 18 July, and the SA U20s will play their first match against Uruguay at Avchala Stadium on Saturday, 27 June. Their remaining pool matches are against hosts Georgia on 2 July and Wales on 7 July.

Props: Oliver Reid (Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Sharks), Jordan Jooste (Stormers), Danie Kruger (Stormers), Luan van der Berg (Bulls). Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Sharks).

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), Jaythen Orange (Lions), Riley Norton (captain, Stormers), JD Hattingh (Lions). Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Bulls), Risima Khosa (Lions), Luke Cannon (Lions), Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks), Vuyo Gwiji (Lions), Gert Kemp (Stormers), Thomas Beling (Lions)*.

Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Bulls), Jayden Brits (Stormers). Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Sharks).

Centres: Ethan Adams (Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (Stormers), Markus Muller (Stormers). Outside and utility backs: Luan Giliomee (Sharks), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), Jack Benade (Stormers), Jordan Steenkamp (Stormers)*, Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks), Alzeadon Felix (Lions).

Final inclusion pending the availability of players currently on senior duty. 

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg