Junior Boks ready to hit ground running against Chile, says Foote

The Junior Springboks want to hit the ground running when they face Chile in the opening match of the U20 International Series in Cape Town on Thursday, says coach Kevin Foote.

The SA squad assembled at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) on Monday and completed their first training session in the afternoon as preparations ramped up for a series which also features Fiji and Georgia.

The inaugural tournament follows on the heels of the recent U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha, where SA claimed the title after victories over Argentina and Australia before drawing their final encounter against New Zealand at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Players who starred in the Junior Springboks’ triumph at the U-20 Rugby Championship tournament in Gqeberha have been given an extra week’s rest before an international series against Chile, Fiji and Georgia in Cape Town from May 21 to 31. Junior Boks head coach, Kevin Foote, said the selected group reflects their focus on immediate performance and long-term player development, as the national U-20s continue to build depth and manage player workloads before the 2026 Junior World Championship. Looking ahead to the fixtures, Foote said the coaching staff would use the opportunity to rotate the squad and assess depth in key positions. Junior Boks regulars Luan Giliomee, Christian Vorster, Jordan Steenkamp, and Pieter van der Merwe are back in the group after they missed the recent U20 Rugby Championship due to injury. The first batch of the squad will assemble on Monday at their Stellenbosch Academy of Sports base, while players who carried a heavy workload in Gqeberha recently will be given an extra week of rest. The squad features players who attended the previous two Junior Bok training camps, the short tour to Georgia and the U20 Rugby Championship, won by SA, while Quintin Potgieter (loose forward) is a new addition. “We are looking to freshen up the squad, give players opportunities in certain positions and allow them to put their hands up for Junior World Championship selection,” Foote said. “It is an important balance between managing the group in the present and continuing to build for the future.” The SA U20 coach said the squad has been selected with the immediate and longer-term in mind, with the Junior Boks intent on maintaining their growth and cohesion, remaining competitive, and broadening the player base with this year’s JWC and the 2027 cycle in mind. “This tournament will provide valuable game time for players who may not have featured regularly during the recent U20 Rugby Championship, while also creating opportunities for younger squad members to continue their development within the Junior Bok environment,” Foote said. The three-match series also provides an opportunity to manage the workload of several established players while integrating the return of several others who did not play a part in the U20 Rugby Championship because of injury or their involvement in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. Regular captain Riley Norton (lock) and Zekhethelo Siyaya (utility back), who were recently included in the Springbok alignment camp squad, are unavailable for the first two matches. Midfielder Markus Muller, who recently made his Stormers debut, and Bulls wing Cheswill Jooste were not considered due to injuries. Junior Boks squad to assemble in Stellenbosch on Monday: Forwards: Jordan Jooste (Stormers), Kai Pratt (Sharks), Mahle Sithole (Lions), Altus Rabe (Stormers), Luan van der Berg (Bulls), Bongani Dlamini (Bulls), Jaythen Orange (Lions), JD Hattingh (Lions), Thomas Beling (Bulls), Risima Khosa (Lions), Quintin Potgieter (Stormers), Vuyo Gwiji (Lions), Gert Kemp (Stormers). Backs: Jayden Brits (Stormers), Jandrian Goosen (Bulls), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Luan Giliomee (Sharks), Jordan Steenkamp (Stormers), Lindsey Jansen (Sharks), Pieter van der Merwe (Bulls), Olunje Mehlomakulu (Stormers), Christian Vorster (Bulls), Jade Muller (CUT), Junaide Stuart (Bulls), Akahluwa Boqwana (Bulls), Alzeadon Felix (Lions). Squad members to assemble in Stellenbosch on May 25: Forwards: Oliver Reid (Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Sharks), Danie Kruger (Stormers), Heinrich Theron (Bulls), Riley Norton (Stormers), Kebotile Maake (Bulls), Luke Cannon (Lions), Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks). Backs: Hendré Schoeman (Bulls), Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Ethan Adams (Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (Stormers), Jack Benade (Stormers), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks). U20 International Series fixtures: May 21: Georgia vs Fiji, South Africa vs Chile May 26: Chile vs Georgia, South Africa vs Fiji May 31: Fiji vs Chile, South Africa vs Georgia Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

Several familiar faces reported for duty on Monday for the four-team tournament. They included Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), who recently made his United Rugby Championship debut for the Sharks, as well as his franchise teammate Luan Giliomee (utility back) and experienced hooker Esethu Mnebelele, both of whom missed the Gqeberha assignment due to injury.

Other players who sat out the Junior Boks’ successful campaign in Gqeberha through injury and are now back in the mix include prop Kai Pratt, loose forward Vuyo Gwiji, and centres Pieter van der Merwe and Christian Vorster.

Foote said there was plenty of positive energy displayed by the returning players.

“Seeing the smiles on those who have rejoined the camp after completing their injury rehabilitation says a lot. We are very glad to have them back with us,” he said.

“We are looking to freshen up the squad, give players opportunities in certain positions and allow them to put their hands up for Junior World Championship selection.

“It is an important balance between managing the group in the present and continuing to build for the future.

Blown away by the support they have received at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in 2025 and 2026, the Junior Boks want Gqeberha to be named as the forever hosts of the U20 Rugby Championship tournament, SA coach Kevin Foote says. When Gqeberha was named as host city for the tournament in 2025, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said the four-nation event featuring SA, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina would be played in the city for three years until 2027. With one more tournament set to be hosted at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Foote and his team would like to see an extension of that deal after crowds of 11,000 and 10,000 turned up to watch the opening two days of the 2026 event. We hope this tournament stays here in Gqeberha forever, so please make a plan. “We hope this tournament stays here in Gqeberha forever, so please make a plan,” Foote said. “This is an absolutely amazing stadium. I am in the coaches’ box, and I cannot hear what is going on because everybody is screaming and shouting. The music and entertainment is also fantastic “We are really grateful to be here in Gqeberha and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a very special place for us. It is just brilliant being here, and the facilities have been awesome. All the coaches from New Zealand, Australia and Argentina have said what a pleasure it is to be here.” Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton said passionate Gqeberha fans helped to push his team to victory over Argentina and Australia. “It means a lot playing at home,” he said. “You feel the crowd, and it pushes you to give more for the guy next to you. “The Junior Boks have been on overseas tours, but nothing beats playing at home in front of your own supporters. The team can hear them cheering and singing the national anthem and the Junior Boks are incredibly grateful for them.” In 2025 almost 15,000 fans flocked to the stadium to watch the final day of the tournament, and organisers are hoping for an even bigger turnout to watch the Junior Boks on Saturday. SA have a five-point lead at the top of the log ahead of their final match against New Zealand after they thrashed Australia 56-17 on Sunday. Alexander said it was decided the U20 Rugby Championship tournament would stay in Gqeberha for three years after the inaugural tournament in 2025 proved to be a resounding success. At one stage there are plans to expand the four-nation mini World Cup event and turn it into a two-week festival of rugby, which will include schools from Gqeberha and the Border region. The Eastern Cape has a rich rugby culture and a passionate fan base. SA Rugby chief executive Rian Oberholzer said it was remarkable that 15,000 fans flocked to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for the final round of matches in 2025. “The region showed it is ready for big events,” he said. “We had 15,000 people here for an U20 tournament, which is remarkable, and we are very happy with that. “The Eastern Cape has a rich rugby culture and a passionate fan base. The combination of top-notch facilities at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and superb accommodation and training options, coupled with the enthusiastic support of the people of the Eastern Cape, makes this a memorable experience for everyone involved.” Sanzaar CEO Brendan Morris said: “Following the success of the tournament in Gqeberha in 2025, Sanzaar is pleased the 2026 U20 Rugby Championship is again in South Africa. “As in previous years, the tournament will provide a vital pathway for up-and-coming rugby talent through exposure to essential international competition and provide development opportunities for the next generation of coaches, team management and match officials.” Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

“This tournament will provide valuable game time for players who may not have featured regularly during the recent U20 Rugby Championship while also creating opportunities for younger squad members to continue their development within the Junior Bok environment.”

“We achieved our mission in Gqeberha, but we now face a fresh challenge and must prepare accordingly.”

U20 International Series fixtures

Thursday at Rondebosch Boys’ High School, Cape Town:

• 1pm: Georgia v Fiji;
• 3pm: South Africa v Chile.

Tuesday at Wynberg Boys’ High School, Cape Town:

• 1pm: Chile v Georgia;
• 3pm: South Africa v Fiji.

Saturday at Markötter Stadium, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch:

• 2.30pm: South Africa v Georgia;
• 4.30pm: Fiji v Chile. — Additional reporting SA Rugby

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