It is an experienced team with several players who’ve featured at international level before.
Former SA U18 lock and national age-group cricketer Riley Norton will captain the Junior Springboks against Argentina in the opening round of the Rugby Championship U20 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Thursday.
Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote has selected an exciting match-23 for the clash with the Argentines, who gave their SA U20 counterparts a tough time last year in the inaugural tournament staged in Australia.
The Junior Bok starting XV includes the likes of Norton, who played for the SA U19 cricket team at the World Cup last year, Wandile Mlaba, a member of last year’s Junior Bok squad, and the 2024 SA Schools and SA U18 captain Sethu Mnebelele, among the forwards.
The backs feature exciting players such as Blitzbok Gino Cupido and Cheswill Jooste on the wings and Kyle Smith at flyhalf. Utility forward Batho Hlekani and outside back JC Mars are among the replacements who are expected to make an impact off the bench.
‘Confident and excited’
Foote said his team had a good time preparing for the opening clash in the Friendly City.
“What stands out for me is the intent and joy of the players; the smiles on their faces tell me they are confident, excited, and see this opportunity to represent our country as a huge privilege,” said Foote.
The Junior Bok coach added that the eagerness and competition among squad members made selection a tough exercise.
“Our squad selection for this first game was difficult because there are so many talented guys, which speaks volumes about our depth,” said Foote.
“We’ve decided on a more settled pack – there’s only one change in the pack from our last training match against Hamilton’s, with our captain Riley Norton coming into the starting lineup after a slight injury.
“Among our backs, we have welcomed back Haashim Pead at scrumhalf with his experience,” said Foote.
“Like Riley, he also had a niggle, which is why he didn’t play in the last training match. There’s also Gino, who comes into the squad after making his Blitzbok debut recently, and JC Mars is also included.”
The clash, which kicks off at 4.10pm, is the second match of a double-header at the stadium. The encounter will be preceded by the match between the defending champions, New Zealand, and Australia, which will open the tournament at 2pm.
Junior Springboks team: Gilermo Mentoe, Cheswill Jooste, Demitre Erasmus, Albie Bester, Gino Cupido, Kyle Smith, Haashim Pead, Wandile Mlaba, Matt Romao, Thando Biyela, JJ Theron, Riley Norton (capt), Simphiwe Ngobese, Sethu Mnebelele, Oliver Reid. Bench: Juandré Erasmus, Ranon Fouché, JD Erasmus, Morné Visser, Batho Hlekani, Ceano Everson, Vusi Moyo, JC Mars
Rugby Championship U20 Fixtures (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium):
Thursday, 1 May
2pm: New Zealand vs Australia
4.10pm: Junior Boks vs Argentina
Tuesday, 6 May
2pm: New Zealand vs Argentina
4.10pm: Junior Boks vs Australia
Sunday, 11 May
2pm: Argentina vs Australia
4.10pm: Junior Boks vs New Zealand
