Junior Boks primed to hit ground running against Los Pumitas

The Junior Springboks are primed to hit the ground running with a fast-paced game centred on physicality and ball‑in‑play time when they face Argentina in their opening encounter at the U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha on Monday, says coach Kevin Foote.

The SA versus Argentina clash (kickoff 4.10pm) is the second game of a double header at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, which kicks off with a showdown between defending champions New Zealand and Australia (2pm).

Foote said one of the team’s big objectives at training camps had been to step up fitness levels ahead of three tough matches in two weeks.

The Junior Boks have suffered a late injury blow ahead of their opening match against Argentina in the Sanzaar U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha on Monday. Hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele, who sustained an ankle injury late last week in Stellenbosch, has been replaced by Mahle Sithole for the four-nation tournament from April 27 to May 9. The tournament, which also features teams from New Zealand and Australia, will be played on three match days (April 27 and May 3 and 9) at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. “Injuries are unfortunately part of the game, and we want to wish Siphosethu well with his recovery,” SA coach Kevin Foote said. “He one of our leaders in the group and has a lot of experience of the Junior Bok set-up. “However, his injury has now given Mahle a great chance to showcase his abilities, and I am sure he is excited about his call-up.” The Junior Boks arrived in Gqeberha on Sunday and are spending the week sharpening their preparations for Monday’s clash against Argentina. “The people of the Friendly City are passionate rugby supporters, and we are looking forward to connecting with them during our stay here in Gqeberha,” Foote said. “We are all excited to be here and are looking forward to the week’s training and our participation against the best teams in the southern hemisphere.” Foote has included three members of the SA U20 squad that won the Junior World Championship in Italy in 2025, as well as several of the most promising young local rugby talents. Captain Riley Norton, Oliver Reid and Vusi Moyo were members of the successful Junior Bok side in 2025. They are joined in the squad by Markus Muller, Ethan Adams (both centres), Gert Kemp (No 8) and Kai Pratt (prop), all of whom played for the SA U18 side last year. The Junior Bok squad was picked from the SA U20 training group who had been preparing for the forthcoming Sanzaar event in Stellenbosch for the past two weeks. Cheswill Jooste (wing) and Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback) were placed on standby pending their duties in the United Rugby Championship, along with Jade Muller and Akahluwa Boqwana. Injury also ruled out regular Junior Bok training squad member Luan Giliomee after the Blitzbok utility player sustained a niggle which prevented him from attending the latest training camp. Foote said reducing the training squad from 43 players to 31 for the tournament had not been easy. “We asked a lot of the group over the past two weeks, because we wanted to step up the intensity and increase their fitness, and they responded splendidly,” he said. “The Junior Boks know from experience that the southern hemisphere teams play a high-tempo game, and we are looking forward to playing an exciting brand of rugby with lots of ball in play. “We tailored our camp programme around those focus areas so that we can prepare our players accordingly for what they will encounter in the Rugby Championship.” Fixtures April 27, 2pm: New Zealand vs Australia; 4.10pm: Junior Boks vs Argentina. May 3, 2pm: New Zealand vs Argentina; 4.10pm: Junior Boks vs Australia. May 9, 2pm: Argentina vs Australia; 4.10pm: Junior Boks vs New Zealand. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

“Playing southern hemisphere teams presents a different type of challenge,” he said. “They produce far more ball‑in‑play time compared to a team like Georgia, who are heavily set‑piece orientated.”

Foote said SA’s focus on conditioning was shaped by lessons learned in last year’s tournament.

“Our experience in Gqeberha was that the surface can be soft underfoot, which led to several players cramping,” he said. “So we want to ensure our fitness levels match how we intend to play, especially against teams who favour a fast‑paced game.”

SA Rugby chief executive Rian Oberholzer said it was all systems go for Gqeberha to host the tournament for a second time, and a memorable experience was expected.

“Last year’s event was a massive success, and we are thrilled that this tournament will be returning to Gqeberha,” he said.

Sanzaar chief executive Brendan Morris said: “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.

Towering lock Riley Norton will lead the Junior Springbok into battle at the third edition of Sanzaar’s U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha from April 27 to May 9. The tournament, featuring teams from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on three match days (April 27 and May 3 and 9). Junior Bok head coach Kevin Foote has included four members of the SA U20 squad that won the Junior World Championship in Italy in 2025, as well as several of the most promising young local rugby talents. Apart from Norton, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Oliver Reid and Vusi Moyo were members of the successful Junior Bok side of last year. They are joined in the squad by Markus Muller, Ethan Adams (both centres), Gert Kemp (No 8) and Kai Pratt (prop), all of whom played for the SA U-18 side last year. The Junior Bok squad was picked from the SA U20 training group who had been preparing for the forthcoming Sanzaar event in Stellenbosch for the past two weeks. Cheswill Jooste (wing) and Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback) were placed on standby pending their duties in the United Rugby Championship, along with Jade Muller and Akahluwa Boqwana. Injury also ruled out regular Junior Bok training squad member Luan Giliomee after the Blitzbok utility player sustained a niggle which prevented him from attending the latest training camp. Foote said to reduce the training squad from 43 players to 31 for the tournament had not been easy. “We asked a lot of the group over the past two weeks, because we wanted to step up the intensity and increase their fitness, and they responded splendidly,” he said. “The Junior Boks know from experience that the Southern Hemisphere teams play a high-tempo game, and we are looking forward to playing an exciting brand of rugby with lots of ball in play. “We tailored our camp programme around those focus areas so that we can prepare our players accordingly for what they will encounter in the Rugby Championship. “We also continued to work hard on our cohesion and our game model, and the coaching staff are very pleased with the effort of all the young men. “Unfortunately, we can only take a squad of 31, and so we feel for those players who missed out on final selection. We will fine-tune our final preparations in Gqeberha before our opening match on April 27 against Argentina.” With the Junior World Championship in mind, in June and July in Georgia, the Junior Bok coach said the door was not closed on those players who missed out on selection. Junior Springbok squad: Props: Oliver Reid (Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Sharks), Jordan Jooste (Stormers), Danie Kruger (Stormers), Kai Pratt (Sharks). Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Sharks). Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), Riley Norton (captain, Stormers), JD Hattingh (Lions), Jaythen Orange (Lions). Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Bulls), Risima Khosa (Lions), Luke Canon (Lions), Thomas Beling (Bulls), Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks), Gert Kemp (Stormers). Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Bulls), Jayden Brits (Stormers). Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Sharks). Centres: Ethan Adams (Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (Stormers), Markus Muller (Stormers), Olunje Mehlomakulu (Stormers). Outside backs: Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Lindsey Jansen (Bulls), Jack Benade (Stormers), *Jade Muller (Cheetahs), *Akahluwa Boqwana (Bulls), Alzeadon Felix (Sharks), *Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), *Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks). Players marked with an asterisk are on standby. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

“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.

The Argentina U20 team (Los Pumitas) has been putting in the hard yards ahead of their first big test of the 2026 season.

Eusebio Guinazu, one of the Argentina coaches said: “We have very good expectations for this Rugby Championship, with two fundamental priorities. The first is the personal development of the players, players who are all part of a national high-performance plan.

Pumped-up EP and Border Bulldogs players will grow an extra arm and leg for Friday’s SA Cup derby battle in Gqeberha, Elephants coach Allister Coetzee says. After a disappointing start to the season, both teams will be desperate to find an extra gear and lift their level of performance at the Madibaz Stadium (kickoff 3pm). The match was moved to the Nelson Mandela University campus because the Sanzaar U20 Rugby Championship kicks off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (EP’s usual home venue) on Monday. EP have won only one of their opening six matches, while bottom of the log Border have yet to win a game and are anchored at the bottom of the 10-team log. “When EP and Border clash, the players always grow an extra arm and leg for the derby,” Coetzee said. “The Elephants have to be as accurate and clinical as we can be against the Bulldogs in our last home game. “If EP goes according to the plans we have in place, we should be fine. “The Elephants have to learn from our showing against Griquas, and we have to have better discipline against Border. “We will not be underestimating Border despite their low position on the log.” Despite the tough start to the season, Coetzee said there had been positive signs. “The way this EP team is growing is a big positive for me,” he said. “I think flyhalf Maxwell Klaasen’s kicking is coming along nicely. “A lot of youngsters are gaining confidence, like Jaydon Bantom at the back.” Last week the Pumas and Griquas pulled away from the chasing pack with resounding wins in their sixth-round fixtures while the Cheetahs moved up the log after a good away win in George. The Pumas beat the Leopards 85-0 in Nelspruit on Friday evening, and on Saturday, Griquas recorded their sixth straight win when they defeated EP 52-9 in Gqeberha. In Welkom the Falcons beat the Griffons 68-36, the Boland Cavaliers outplayed Border 74-5 in Wellington, and the Cheetahs came from behind to down the SWD Eagles 26-17 in George. Unbeaten Griquas are out in front with 30 league points, followed by defending champions Pumas three points back in second place on 27. The Cheetahs are sitting third on 23 points, one ahead of fourth-placed SWD (22). Boland are currently just outside the playoffs on 20 points, with the leading quintet followed by the Falcons (14), Griffons (11), EP and Leopards (7 apiece) and winless Border (0). The coming weekend sees the third-to-last round of league games. The EP versus Border game will be followed by another Friday fixture in Potchefstroom between the Leopards and Boland (6pm). In the three Saturday encounters, all starting at 3.30pm, SWD meet the Griffons in George; the Falcons entertain the Cheetahs in Kempton Park; and there is a top-of-the-table clash in Kimberley between Griquas and the Pumas. The four top teams after the single round of fixtures qualify for the semi-finals and automatic entry to the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division. SA Cup log (all teams have played six matches): Griquas 30, Pumas 27, Cheetahs 23, SWD Eagles 22, Boland Cavaliers 20, Falcons 14, Griffons 11, EP Elephants 7, Leopards 7, Border Bulldogs 0. Weekend fixtures: Friday: EP v Border Bulldogs, Leopards v Boland Cavaliers. Saturday: Falcons v Cheetahs, SWD Eagles v Griffons, Griquas v Pumas. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

“For many of these boys it will be their first experience competing at this level, and we believe that this tournament has to be an experience that adds value in the development of the players and, that adds value not only to compete in this instance, but a value that can remain with them throughout their careers.

“We believe that in this way we will really be making a contribution to the personal development of each of these players who are part of the national high-performance system. And the best way to develop players is the second priority we have, which is to compete.

“It’s a great opportunity to play against South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, to really prepare ourselves and the team to be prepared for this level of competition, with the ultimate goal of getting very good results.

Selborne College rose to the occasion where it mattered most – on the field of play – to register a notable win over the previously unbeaten Graeme College in a cracking encounter in East London on Saturday. It was a game which was typical of the outstanding school derbies in the Eastern Cape, with each side having their moments, and a score of 19-19 with 20 minutes to go, before Selborne finally pulled away to win 34-26. With lock Travis Enslin and centre Iviwe Kabale the standout players for Selborne, the home side put Graeme under sustained pressure from the start, and this allowed them to build a handy 12-0 lead through two tries. But Graeme showed why they are so highly rated this season, particularly when they are on the attack. With No 9 Luke Doyle calling the shots from the base of the scrum, and fullback Lucritia Magau a constant menace at the back, they bounced back with three tries to go ahead 19-12. It was then that the Selborne side showed their character by levelling the score, and although Graeme scored once more, the East London side capitalised on their chances to kick a penalty and score their fifth try to complete a week which will be remembered for many different reasons. Selborne’s tries came from Sabelo Vuso (2), Enslin, Kabale and Reece Rasmussen, with Riley Hansel kicking three conversions and a penalty. Tries for Graeme came from Doyle (2), Asakhe Ranuga and Lucritia Magau, with Erin Nelson kicking three conversions. Meanwhile in Gqeberha, Paul Roos Gym held off a spirited fightback from Grey High to triumph 28-15 in their King Price Derby Series clash on the Kolisi field. After leading 14-0 at halftime and then 21-5 six minutes into the second half, the visitors saw Grey fight back to within six points of their tally before they used their forwards to rumble upfield and eventually pulled away late in the game for a deserved victory. Grey were guilty of some defensive lapses in the first half and a burst of two tries by big centre Jean Hamman, who fought his way through several defenders to the line, and speedy wing Cadynn Samuels saw them shoot into a 14-0 lead after 13 minutes. Samuels took his chance when Grey failed to manage a kick ahead by scrumhalf Tristan Armitage, and the ball bounced kindly for the left wing as he outpaced the Grey defence in 50-metre dash for the line. Kyle Snyers was on song with his boot for Paul Roos in windy conditions, slotting both conversions. Grey High got onto the board in the 40th minute when a series of drives from the forwards saw prop Daniel Naude go over for a try. That was quickly cancelled out as No 8 Werner du Bruin got onto the end of a pass from a quick tap close to the Grey line, and there was no stopping him for the visitors’ third try. Then came Grey’s brightest period of the match. This time it was Paul Roos who made a basic error with a dropped pass, which saw wing Sikhu Xego snap up possession near the halfway mark to race to the tryline. That was followed 10 minutes later by an excellent backline move as Grey quickly moved the ball through the hands and right wing Noah Mbizi used nifty footwork to evade a few defenders for their third try. A scoreline of 21-15 with 19 minutes left had made it interesting, but Paul Roos quickly tightened things up. Although they missed a penalty, they took control through their forwards, and a 25-metre maul from the halfway line underpinned their intentions. They managed to stay in the right areas of the field, and the constant pressure eventually told when flank Christian le Roux burst over for their final try, converted by Snyers to complete the scoring. Daily Dispatch

“But that those results come from the awareness and naturalisation of many habits, and a certain work ethic that leads us to obtain those results.

“We believe that if we continue to prepare in that way we can get those results, so our expectations are very good and are based on these two big priorities.

“The group is really very good. All the players come from doing their respective pre-seasons.

There could not be a better place than rugby-mad Gqeberha to stage the Springboks’ opening match of the season against the Barbarians on June 20, SA coach Rassie Erasmus says. Despatch-born Erasmus says he is itching for the season to start and is expecting a capacity 46,000 crowd to watch the opener at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Rugby fever is rising in Gqeberha with just 60 days until the Springboks come flying out of the starting blocks against former All Blacks’ coach Scott Robertson’s composite Barbarians team. An SA “A” team will take on the Zimbabwe Sables in a curtain-raiser to the Barbarians clash. Erasmus will use the “A” match as an opportunity to build squad depth and the encounter will provide Zimbabwe with a chance to test themselves against some of South Africa’s up-and-coming talent. Interest is also building ahead of the Sanzaar U20 Rugby Championship, kicking off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday with the Junior Boks facing Argentina (kickoff 4.10pm). I can’t wait for the season to start and what better place than Gqeberha, where we’ve always enjoyed enormous support “I can’t wait for the season to start and what better place than Gqeberha, where we’ve always enjoyed enormous support,” Erasmus said. “We’ve been told that the average attendance at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is over 95% of stadium capacity and we hope to see the stands packed out again this year when we welcome the BaaBaas to the game. “They are coming to South Africa with an experienced and esteemed coaching team, and we know they will provide us with a proper challenge. “At the same time, we’re very excited to see the rest of our wider squad in action in a proper match when the SA ‘A’ team take on the Sables from Zimbabwe. “They have qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and I’m sure it will be a great match.” The Springboks have never lost in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, winning eight of their nine Tests at the venue, while one clash ended in a draw. Last year, a crowd of 44,282 packed the stands to see a clinical Springbok performance when they beat Italy 45-0. Barbarians president John Spencer said: “Barbarian FC prides itself on its values and ethos and it is important our partners embody the same. We are delighted to be working and partnering with YesPlay when we take on the Springboks this June. “YesPlay are a proud South African company and, in addition to the title sponsorship of the match, we are proud to have them on the front of our jersey for this exciting international clash.” Fixtures involving the Barbarians are rare and highly anticipated worldwide, bringing together some of the most exciting names in global rugby for a once-off showcase. Their matches are known for capturing the imagination of fans across generations, combining elite skill with an unstructured, expressive style of play that is seldom seen in the modern game. What makes the Barbarians particularly compelling is the way their squad is assembled. Players are invited from across the rugby world based on form, reputation, and flair, often representing a mix of countries, cultures, and playing styles. Selection is typically finalised close to matchday, adding an extra layer of intrigue and anticipation as fans eagerly await the final line-up and the magic it might produce on the field. After the BaaBaas clash, the Boks will host England, Scotland, and Wales in three Tests in the new Nations Championship in July, before they welcome the All Blacks for three Tests in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, a new series that will play out every four years. Tickets for the clash against the Barbarians — starting from R250 a person — can be obtained exclusively on springboks.tmtickets.co.za - Additional reporting SA Rugby Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

“We believe that we have a very good combination and a very good mix between many players who have done their pre-seasons with Super Rugby Americas franchises, and many of them have even had minutes of competition.”

Fixtures

Monday:

• 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

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