Junior Boks head coach Kevin Foote welcomes a 42-man training squad to Stellenbosch on Wednesday.
The camp marks a major step in the SA U20s’ campaign for 2026, with the squad featuring a strategic mix of battle-hardened regulars and exciting talent graduating from the successful SA U18s, while 13 players who toured France and Ireland towards the end of last year with the SA U19s, will return to Stellenbosch.
According to Foote, a significant focus of the selection process was managing the workload of the younger contingent. The Junior Boks coach said that several players were not selected for the European tour last November to allow them to recover from a taxing year that included Grade 12 exams, their school programmes, the U18 Craven Week and the U18 International Series.
“Bringing them in fresh is a big positive for us – they are training hard with the unions and we’re expecting them to do really well,” said Foote.
“I believe it isn’t a lack of talent for us; it’s about making sure we get the foundation of the culture and the environment right for these young men to excel.”
The new players invited to the camp include Kai Pratt and JG Badenhorst (props), AJ Meyer (lock), Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera and Gert Kemp (loose forwards), Yaqeen Ahmed (flyhalf), Markus Muller and Ethan Adams (centres), as well as speedy Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback).
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While the squad has been bolstered by last year’s U18 stars, there is also a return to some familiar players, such as last year’s Junior Boks captain Riley Norton, as well as his fellow 2025 Junior World Championship winners Oliver Reid, Rambo Kubheka, Siphosethu Mnebelele and Alzeadon Felix.
Flyhalf Vusi Moyo, another member of last year’s successful Junior Bok side, has not made the squad as he is busy with rehabilitation following a minor hip operation to ensure he is ready for the forthcoming international season.
Wing Cheswill Jooste is another 2025 Junior Bok stalwart who remains firmly in the selection mix but will instead continue his duties with the Vodacom Bulls in the URC, while utility back Luan Giliomee is currently part of the Springbok Sevens programme.
Foote explained the forthcoming camp will serve as a high-intensity training and technical preparation block, with a focus to sharpen the traditional Junior Bok DNA elements – set-piece dominance, kicking game, solid defence and attacking flair, in addition to getting grips with their game model.
“We go pretty hard at our DNA and we want to make sure we put a good set-piece platform together,” said Foote. “The focus is also on game management – understanding which parts of the field we want to play and maintaining a high tempo.”
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The squad will undertake a short tour of three matches to Georgia, leaving on 15 February and returning on 28 February. In preparation of the tour the camp schedule includes training matches against the Varsity Cup sides UCT and Maties.
Junior Boks squad for Stellenbosch training camp
Props: Oliver Reid (Western Province), Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Sharks), Kai Pratt (Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Cheetahs), Ruan Smuts (Cheetahs), JG Badenhorst (Cheetahs), Danie Kruger (Western Province).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Sharks), Mahle Sithole (Lions).
Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), JP Lombaard (Bulls), James Schnetler (Lions), Riley Norton (Western Province,) JD Hattingh (Lions), AJ Meyer (Western Province).
Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Bulls), Alutha Wesi (Western Province), Luke Canon (Lions), Franko Rossouw (Bulls), Risima Khosa (Lions), Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera (Sharks), Vuyo Gwiji (Lions), Gert Kemp (Western Province), Reuben Kruger (Western Province).
Scrumhalves: Matthew Fick (Bulls), Hendré Schoeman (Bulls), Denilo Jordaan (Varsity College).
Flyhalf: Yaqeen Ahmed (Western Province), Alzeadon Felix (Lions).
Centres: Pieter van der Merwe (Bulls), Christian Vorster (Bulls), Ethan Adams (Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (Western Province), Markus Muller (Western Province).
Outside backs: Dylan Miller (Western Province), Jordan Steenkamp (Western Province), Lindsey Jansen (Lions), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks), Reinhardt Viljoen (Lions), Aidan Bester (Saldanha RFC).
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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