Star centre Markus Muller is amongst a number of gamers who stay eligible for 2027 choice to be named in a 31-man Junior Boks squad for a three-match tour of Georgia.
Unfastened ahead Gert Kemp, flyhalf Luan Giliomee (who helped the Blitzboks win the Perth Sevens final weekend), midfielder Ethan Adams and fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya are the others because the Junior Boks proceed their technique of constructing squad depth and prioritising the long run pathway.
The SA U20s are scheduled to go away for Georgia on Sunday, and can return dwelling on 28 February following the completion of three matches, two of which will likely be internationals in opposition to the hosts.
The choice follows an intensive three-week preparation camp in Stellenbosch which concluded final Friday. The camp included high-tempo coaching matches in opposition to two Varsity Cup sides, Maties and UCT.
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For the second tour to Georgia in as a few years, the selectors have picked a squad that includes a mix of continuity and contemporary expertise. The group consists of 4 returning gamers from the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship-winning aspect, alongside a promising crop of gamers from final 12 months’s undefeated SA U18 marketing campaign.
The returning stalwarts are loosehead props Ollie Reid and Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele and lock Riley Norton, who captained the Junior Boks to World Rugby U20 Championship honours in Italy final 12 months.
Unfastened ahead Vuyo Gwiji, centre Pieter van der Merwe and fullback Alzeadon Felix weren’t thought of for choice after selecting up niggles in camp, whereas flyhalf Vusi Moyo continues his rehabilitation. They may stay in South Africa to give attention to their restoration with the intention of being accessible for the Sanzaar U20 Rugby Championship in April and Might.
Wing Cheswill Jooste, like Moyo a member of the “Class of 2025”, is at the moment on Vodacom URC obligation with the Bulls and is anticipated to hitch the squad later within the season.
Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote admitted that narrowing down the squad was tough.
“Gamers reminiscent of [lock] AJ Meyer and [fullback] Reinhardt Viljoen put their arms up for consideration and stay firmly within the combine for future camps main into the Rugby Championship,” he stated.
Junior Boks squad for Georgia
Props: Oliver Reid (Western Province), Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Sharks), Kai Pratt (Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Cheetahs), Danie Kruger (Western Province).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Sharks), Mahle Sithole (Lions).
Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), James Schnetler (Lions), Riley Norton (captain, Western Province), JD Hattingh (Lions).
Unfastened forwards: Kebotile Maake (Bulls), Risima Khosa (Lions), Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera (Sharks), Luke Canon (Lions), Gert Kemp (Western Province), Reuben Kruger (Western Province).
Scrumhalves: Matthew Fick (Bulls), Hendré Schoeman (Bulls).
Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (Western Province), Luan Giliomee (Sharks).
Centres: Markus Muller (Western Province), Ethan Adams (Lions), Christian Vorster (Bulls), Samuel Badenhorst (Western Province).
Outdoors Backs: Dylan Miller (Western Province), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Jordan Steenkamp (Western Province), Lindsey Jansen (Bulls).
Junior Boks tour fixtures (in Tbilisi, Georgia)
Wednesday, 18 February: vs Lelo Saracens
Sunday, 22 February: vs Georgia U20
Friday, 27 February: vs Georgia U20
Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Pictures
