Wheels set in motion for Junior Boks’ visit to Gqeberha

The wheels were set in motion for the Sanzaar U20 Rugby Championship tournament in Gqeberha from April 27 to May 9 when Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote named a training squad on Thursday.

The event will feature the best young talent from SA, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina, with big crowds expected to attend matches played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on three match days (April 27 and May 3 and 9).

The Junior Boks will kick off their bid for glory at the Sanzaar U20 Rugby Championship with an opening match against Argentina at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on April 27. The SA versus Argentina game (4.10pm kickoff) is the late game in a double header, which also features an opening clash between New Zealand and Australia at 2pm on Freedom Day. The southern hemisphere’s next generation of superstars descend on Gqeberha for match days on April 27, May 3 and May 9 as the teams step up their preparations for the Junior World Championship in Georgia during June and July. Following last year’s tournament, the Junior Boks and New Zealand U20s went on to contest the final for the world crown, with captain Riley Norton’s team going on to take gold for SA. SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said it was a feather in the cap of SA Rugby and the Eastern Cape to host the third instalment of this tournament for a second time. “Last year’s event was a massive success, and we are thrilled that this tournament will be returning to Gqeberha,” he said. “The Eastern Cape has a rich rugby culture and a passionate fan base, and like last year, we expect good crowds to come to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to see the four teams in action across three double-header match days. “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, will make this another memorable experience for everyone involved.” Sanzaar CEO Brendan Morris said: “Following the success of the tournament in Gqeberha last year, Sanzaar is pleased to announce that the 2026 U20 Rugby Championship will again head to South Africa this year. “Last year, New Zealand retained the title with an exhilarating 48-45 win over the hosts, South Africa. “The third edition of this important championship will again be played at the wonderful Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha as Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa go head-to-head over three rounds. “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. Sanzaar sincerely thanks SA Rugby for its support of the Championship.” The U20 event is the second international rugby event headed to Gqeberha in the coming months, after it was announced that the Springboks will kick off their 2026 season against the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 20. Tickets for the U20 Rugby Championship will be priced from R35 per person per day for two matches, and will be sold exclusively by Ticketmaster. Fixtures: April 27: 2pm: New Zealand v Australia, 4.10pm: Junior Boks v Argentina. May 3: 2pm: New Zealand v Argentina, 4.10pm: Junior Boks v Australia. May 9: 2pm Argentina v Australia, 4.10pm: Junior Boks v New Zealand. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

The squad will gather for a two-week camp in Stellenbosch from April 6 to 19 to prepare for the Gqeberha tournament.

Sharks utility back Luan Giliomee, who recently made his international debut for the Blitzboks, has been named as a utility player.

Bulls wing Cheswill Jooste, who, like Vusi Moyo, was also a member of last year’s successful Junior Bok side, was not considered for this training camp due to his URC commitments.

Alongside their daily field and gym sessions in Stellenbosch, the Junior Boks will take part in two training chukkas against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington, with a similar training drill planned against EP.

Foote described the naming of the extended squad as another key step in the team’s build‑up, and said the recent tour to Georgia had been a critical part of their preparation.

The Madibaz delivered the fight they had promised their supporters to scrap their way back from an alarming deficit into a comfortable victory over Sol Plaatje University in their FNB Varsity Shield match last Friday. The victory, 63-36 after having fallen behind 31-15 early in the second half, saw them finish fourth on the log and qualify for the semifinals. That means they will have to overcome top-of-the-table Wits at home in Johannesburg on Friday to extend their season by one more match. If they manage to do so against the team that thumped them 63-8 in their previous encounter, it will surely be one of their finest victories in the Shield. Against SPU in Kimberley, no-one was more prominent in the Madibaz fightback than eighth man Ruwaan Zealand, 19, who was subsequently voted the Player that Rocks. Coach David Manuel praised his side’s ability to respond under pressure before shifting the conversation to their upcoming semi. “We have started preparing for Wits and know they are a quality, well-coached side.” The intention, it would seem, is to fight fire with fire. “Our focus is on how to put them under pressure so they feel stressed in their decision-making, which is what they did very well against us.” He also emphasised the importance of capitalising on opportunities and maintaining discipline within their structures. “We need to force errors and make sure we take advantage of those moments.” This becomes a moot point if they did not stick to their systems and remained in the fight for the full 80 minutes, Manuel warned. He believes the label of “underdogs” can only be to the Gqeberha side’s advantage. “We don’t mind it as it takes a bit of pressure off when nobody is expecting us to win.” For Zealand and his teammates, the focus is on redemption – nothing more, nothing less. “We’ve learnt a lot from our losses and mistakes this season, and I think we’ve grown because of them,” the first-year public management student suggested. “It’s going to be a tough game, especially away from home, but it’s a new opportunity. We are well prepared and ready to deliver a much better performance.” His sentiments were echoed by the mentor, who underlined the importance of self-worth as a driving factor in making the 2026 final. “It’s essential for us to show the pride we have in the Madibaz jersey and to play with integrity and character,” Manuel said. “This is about proving to ourselves we can rectify past mistakes and have the resolve to stay in the fight until the final whistle.” Zealand played open cards about the fact that they had briefly lost their way against SPU before regrouping at the break. “Our big focus was to stay calm as we realised how important the game was for us. In the second half, we played for each other, stuck to our systems and came back strongly.” The forward from Patensie, who made his Madibaz debut this season, credited the coaching staff for helping the team refocus. “They identified what needed to be done,” he said. Even though the panel recognised his individual brilliance, on the night it ultimately came down to a collective effort. “I felt proud, happy and grateful, but it wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates,” said the star of the Kimberley show, who brings more physicality than most to the table. The second semifinal is between WSU and UWC, second and third in the standings, respectively. The Madibaz beat WSU 40-32 and lost to UWC 32-25 while in the ascendancy in the final quarter. If they can somehow manage to sidestep Wits, the recent history between Mandela University and the other two teams would suggest they have an even chance of lifting the trophy. One could argue the Madibaz’s final is in fact on Friday. Kick-off is at 5pm. - Full Stop Communications Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

“Georgia gave us a great opportunity to play and grow together as a team and to test our set pieces against a formidable pack,” he said.

“Our experience in Gqeberha in 2025 was that the surface can be soft underfoot, which led to several players cramping.

“So, we want to ensure our fitness levels match how we intend to play, especially against teams who favour a fast‑paced game.”

A resilient never-quit attitude will drive Harlequins forward at the Ebrahim Patel Community Cup (EPCC) Easter tournament, which kicks off in George on Thursday, coach Leon Nicolaai says. Two of EP’s most successful club rugby teams, Harlequins and Kruisfontein United, are facing tough opening matches at Outeniqua Park. Gqeberha’s Harlequins have been drawn to play Blanco (kickoff 4pm), and crack Humansdorp outfit Kruisfontein United are set to collide with Robertson (5.45pm). “One of our biggest strengths will be our depth because we have a squad of about 40-plus players,” Nicolaai said. “This will play a role, and our resilience, belief and never-quit attitude. These are strengths Harlequins thrive on. When we started our campaign in 2025, we said we wanted to dominate the Grand Challenge tournament and, after that, start dominating outside the province in bigger national events,” he said. “That is Harlequins’ goal: to be better at tournaments and in the national Gold Cup at the end of the year. We need to build our platforms so Harlequins can be better at national tournaments, because part of the overall plan is to put the club back on the national stage,” Nicolaai said. “Then we can build platforms for players to move into provincial set-ups and even higher.” Apart from success at the Ebrahim Patel Community Cup tournament, Harlequins have set their sights on success in the EPRU Grand Challenge Top 12. “We want to make 2026 the year we go out and win the Top 12,” Nicolaai said. “Last year we missed out by two points in the final against Gardens in a great game. Harlequins gained experience from that final and also what happened in George in 2025,” Nicolaai said. “We will be better equipped going into both competitions in 2026, and we hope to do well. As a club we would like to win everything on offer. We have been active on the field even though we did not play in the EC Super 14 tournament. “Harlequins have good pre-season games under the belt, and we are in fine shape and form. The players are calm, and they know what is expected of them, so it has been a good build-up to George,” Nicolaai said. “We started our Grand Challenge season last week, and we had a good win, 46-10, over Hankey Villagers. On Saturday we had a team-building session, and preparations have gone well with no hiccups and major injuries. “Harlequins are all set to go,” Nicolaai said. “The win over Hankey Villagers came at the right time and was a good morale booster for the team. Straight after the Ebrahim Patel tournament we jump back into the Grand Challenge.” At the EPCC draw, EP Rugby president George Malgas pledged his full support to the tournament, which is expected to draw capacity crowds. He called on SA Rugby to actively support initiatives such as the Patel event and said more should be done nationally to preserve and elevate Patel’s legacy within the broader rugby framework. Tournament director Romano Lekay said: “The EPCC has evolved beyond a tournament. “It is unlocking meaningful investment into community rugby through measurable audience growth, broadcast exposure and credible delivery. Sponsors are seeing real return, clubs are benefiting from increased visibility and communities are starting to feel the impact,” Lekay said. “The EPCC started with only two teams and a simple vision — to create a platform for community rugby excellence and to give honour where honour is due." Thursday’s opening fixtures: 4pm: Harlequins v Blanco 5.35pm: Robertson v Kruisfontein 7.40pm: Safcol v Heidelberg 9.15pm: Botrivier v Bridgton. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

Junior Springbok training squad:

Props: Oliver Reid (Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Sharks), Jordan Jooste (Stormers), Cecil Parson (Lions); Danie Kruger (Stormers), Kai Pratt (Sharks), Luan van der Berg (Bulls), Bongani Dlamini (Bulls)

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Sharks), Mahle Sithole (Lions), Altus Rabe (Stormers)

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), Riley Norton (Stormers), JD Hattingh (Lions), AJ Meyer (Stormers), Tom Barnard (Stormers)

Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Bulls), Risima Khosa (Lions), Luann Olivier (Sharks), Luke Canon (Lions), Thomas Beling (Bulls), Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks), Sibusiso Mahlangu (Cheetahs), Bohlale Maphisa (Cheetahs), Gert Kemp (Stormers)

Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Bulls), Jayden Brits (Stormers), Jandrian Goosen (Bulls)

In an immediate response to Border Ladies not winning a single game in the recently concluded Women’s Super League, the Border Rugby Union has changed its women’s club structure to help strengthen the senior team. The games tally for the new season that starts in May has been extended to finish closer to the end of the year. This decision is to make sure the union builds depth for the senior women’s team and existing players get proper minutes before the Women’s Super League starts in 2027. Upon review of the lucklustre season, lack of game time before the national competition started is what hamstrung the Border Ladies, the BRU executive member in charge of women-related matters, Siphokazi Njani, said on Tuesday. She acknowledged that the season was a far cry from what the union had hoped for. “We have sent communications to the 10 clubs in the league notifying them of the changes we have made and some we intend to make,” Njani said. Border had to use U20 players to make up their full squad. The lack of experience was on occasion exposed by big teams in the Super League, especially in the second halves of games. Though the players underwent a baptism of fire, Njani said it was a good lesson in getting the feel of professional rugby. “The U20 players will be better next year. They will be experienced in some part of their games. “It was our plan to not get players from our province but to use our own so we can build depth,” she said. Finding a new coaching team is top of the agenda. In the penultimate stages of the season, the team was without a permanent coach after Bongani Nogilana stepped down. “We will have to find someone to fill the position as soon as we can so the coach can start identifying potential players who are needed in certain positions. “We chose Nogilana because he was part of our youth team coaching structures and had been with the senior team for the past two years. “We wanted continuity, but it wasn’t to be,” she said. Njani said they were disappointed with how Nogilana had resigned. It is believed he quit during their game against the Golden Lions, just before the union’s last three games against the Sharks, EP Queens and Free State. “It was a huge blow because the players started panicking and there was so much uncertainty around,” Njani said. Speaking to the Dispatch after leaving the position, Nogilana complained the environment was not conducive and promised the publication an interview. Njani said that in the resignation letter Nogilana handed to BRU general manager Mthunzi Hewu, he mentioned the same issue but with no details. “I’m someone who likes to learn from my mistakes, but he never explained fully what happened,” she said. Click here to join the Daily Dispatch’s WhatsApp channel and get the latest news delivered straight to your phone. Daily Dispatch

Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Alzeadon Felix (Sharks)

Centres: Ethan Adams (Lions), Christian Vorster (Bulls), Winton Abrahams (CUT), Samuel Badenhorst (Stormers), Markus Muller (Stormers)

Outside backs: Dylan Miller (Stormers), Junaide Stuart (Bulls), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Lindsey Jansen (Bulls), Jack Benade (Stormers), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks), Jade Muller (Cheetahs)

Utility player: Luan Giliomee (Sharks)

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