Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote on Wednesday named a sizeable training squad of 45 players, including four who attended the recent Springbok alignment camp, for a two-week camp in Stellenbosch from 6 to 19 April in preparation for the 2026 edition of the Under 20 Rugby Championship (TRCU20).
Riley Norton, who skippered the Junior Boks to the world title last year in Italy, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Kai Pratt, and Markus Muller all had a taste of the senior Springbok environment at the team’s first alignment camp of the year in Cape Town in March.
The Junior Bok training squad will be reduced to 31 players in two weeks for the third TRCU20, which will be staged in Gqeberha.
Hollywoodbets Sharks flyhalf Vusi Moyo, who is recovering from hip surgery, has also been included in the group for the first time this year. Although unlikely to feature in the TRCU20, he will continue his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Junior Bok medical team.
Meanwhile utility back Luan Giliomee, who recently made his international debut for the Blitzboks, has been named as a utility player. He is equally comfortable at fullback, where he made his Vodacom United Rugby Championship debut for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, and at flyhalf.
Vodacom Bulls wing Cheswill Jooste, who like Moyo was also a member of last year’s successful Junior Bok side, was not considered for this training camp due to his Vodacom URC commitments.
Alongside their daily field and gym sessions in Stellenbosch, the Junior Boks will take part in two training chukkas against the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in Wellington, with a similar training drill planned against Eastern Province.
Foote described the naming of the extended squad as another key step in the team’s build up toward the forthcoming U20TRC tournament. He noted that the recent tour to Georgia had been a critical part of their preparation, and that the Stellenbosch camp would sharpen their readiness further.
“Georgia gave us a great opportunity to play and grow together as a team, and to test our set-pieces against a formidable pack,” said Foote.
“Our objectives at this camp are to step up our fitness levels, physicality, and ball in play time.
“Playing southern hemisphere teams presents a different type of challenge. They produce far more ball in play time compared to the Georgians, who are heavily set piece orientated.”
Foote added that their focus on conditioning was largely 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,” said the coach. “So, we want to ensure our fitness levels match how we intend to play, especially against teams who favour a fast paced game.”
The SANZAAR TRCU20 competition will feature the best young talent from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina, with the tournament kicking off on Freedom Day, 27 April, and the remaining match days scheduled for 3 and 9 May, respectively. All matches will be staged at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Junior Springbok training squad:
Props: Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Jooste (DHL Stormers), Cecil Parson (Lions); Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers), Kai Pratt (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luan van der Berg (Vodacom Bulls), Bongani Dlamini (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Mahle Sithole (Lions), Altus Rabe (DHL Stormers).
Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Riley Norton (DHL Stormers), JD Hattingh (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), AJ Meyer (DHL Stormers), Tom Barnard (DHL Stormers).
Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Vodacom Bulls), Risima Khosa (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Luann Olivier (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luke Canon (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Thomas Beling (Vodacom Bulls), Wasi Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sibusiso Mahlangu (Toyota Cheetahs), Bohlale Maphisa (Toyota Cheetahs), Gert Kemp (DHL Stormers).
Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Jayden Brits (DHL Stormers), Jandrian Goosen (Vodacom Bulls).
Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Alzeadon Felix (Hollywoodbets Sharks),
Centres: Ethan Adams (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Christian Vorster (Vodacom Bulls), Winton Abrahams (CUT), Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Stormers), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers).
Outside backs: Dylan Miller (DHL Stormers), Junaide Stuart (Vodacom Bulls), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Lindsey Jansen (Vodacom Bulls), Jack Benade (DHL Stormers), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jade Muller (Toyota Cheetahs).
Utility player: Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks).