VIDEO: Rassie says Baby Boks are not far from playing for Springboks

NEWS: The Springbok management is watching the Under-20 World Cup taking place in South Africa closely, in order to identify the next generation of Springboks.

SA’s Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus is one of those casting a keen eye over the Baby Boks.

Unfortunately, the Baby Boks stumbled over their second hurdle when they lost to Italy in Paarl on Thursday.

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Erasmus told a media briefing earlier in the week that the Junior Springboks have all been on their radar since Under-15 and the Springbok coaches have all worked closely with these players.

"[Baby Bok coach] Bafana [Nhleko] is working really closely with us," Erasmus said.

"[Bok head coach] Jacques ([Nienaber] has helped there a few times as well as some of our other coaches.

"We get the weekly schedule on what Bafana is planning, and what he is planning with his assistant coaches," he added.

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"And with the boys being in the Academy, it helps, especially because due to Covid, there were a few years where our [player development] pathway was a bit stunted in getting access to the players.

"Just because there weren’t Craven Weeks and we struggled to have Under-17 camps and stuff like that.

"And to have the Junior World Championship here in South Africa for two years in a row is great.

"We know those players really well.

"They have been on our radar since Under-15 and Under-16, and even when we do PONI [Players Of National Interest] selection, we get the input of Bafana and Herman Masimla.

"So yes, we are following the tournament closely.

"We are certainly watching all those games and seeing who are future Springboks, who can slot in.

"Look at a guy like Canan [Moodie], some of these boys are not far away from playing for us," Erasmus predicted.

"I saw a photo of the jersey presentation by Salmaan Moerat, and the two youngsters next to him were actually bigger than him.

"So those boys quickly grow up and become Springboks."