New Junior Bok coach amends Under-19 squad

NEWS: SA Rugby has announced some changes to the original group of 48 Under-19 players to attend the camp from November 18-30 at the Stellenbosch Academy Sports (SAS).

A second camp of two weeks is set to be hosted at the same venue, from December 8-21, whereafter the 2025 SA Rugby Academy programme will commence, as the frontrunner for the selection of the next year’s Junior Springbok squad.

Newly appointed Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote is excited about his new challenge and ready to roll up his sleeves in preparation for laying the groundwork for what promises to be a busy season for the SA Under-20s next year.

Foote and his fellow coaches, Lumumba Currie and Melusi Mthethwa, whose appointment was confirmed two weeks ago, have already started preparing for the inaugural SA U19 Academy camp in November and December in Stellenbosch.

“I am super excited about the next step in my coaching career, and it is an absolute honour and privilege to be involved with the Junior Springboks as we get ready to prepare the next generations of Springboks,” said Foote.

In explaining the reason for the forthcoming SA U19 Academy camps, he said: “We (Junior Bok coaching staff) are working closely with the Talent Management Department whose role is to assist and expose the new coaching staff to as many of the identified players as possible over the two-camp period.

“The main aim, for now, is for us to work with a full squad during the two camps, which will include two training matches so that we have a clear picture for the selection of our SA Rugby Academy intake next year, which is the main building block in terms of pre-season training for the Junior Boks.

“Our coaching, medical, and administrative staff have worked hard over the last few weeks to make the U19 Academy camp a reality, and I want to thank them, as well as the Talent Management Department and the other SA Rugby staff, for putting in place this exciting programme in such a short space of time.

“We are all excited to work with this very talented group, and the coaching staff and I cannot wait to get onto the training field to get the ball rolling,” added Foote.

Divan Fuller (loose forward) and JC Mars (fullback) have been pulled into the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship training group and were replaced by Aiden Norris and (WP) and JT Strydom (Cheetahs) respectively.

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With Siya Ndlozi and Gino Cupido being involved with the SA Sevens Academy squad presently, it was decided to call up Chijindu Okonta (Sharks, left-wing) and Daniel van der Merwe (Bulls, centre) in their place, while WP flyhalf Dominic Malgas is also a new addition.

Furthermore, two players who are currently based in France - Christian Everitt and JC Viljoen - were replaced by HB Odendaal (Lions) and Imaani Phemba (Sharks), while Exauce Tshiamala has been withdrawn from the squad until his eligibility status has been confirmed.

Players who are in matric this year were not considered for the camps but will get an opportunity to stake their claims next year.

SA Rugby has lined up a couple of fixtures for the U19 Academy squad, with a short international tour to Europe for the Junior Boks early in 2025 also on the cards before next year’s U20 Rugby Championship.

Details of the Academy fixtures and next year’s Junior Bok European tour will be announced once all arrangements have been confirmed.

Updated SA Rugby U19 Academy squad:

Props: Simphiwe Ngobese (Sharks), Christoff Etzebeth (Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Cheetahs), Ranon Fouche (Bulls), Sandi Msengana (Bulls), Jean Erasmus (Bulls), Ali Thiam (Bulls), Herman Lubbe (Western Province).

Hookers: HB Odendaal (Lions), Imaani Pemba (Sharks), Jaundre Schoeman (Bulls), Stefan Venter (Cheetahs).

Locks: Danio Botha (Western Province), Neil Hansen (Lions), Michael Versfeld (Bulls), Ulrich van der Westhuizen (Sharks), Kuhle Mthimkhulu (Sharks) Morne Venter (Lions), Eduan Vosloo (Bulls).

Loose forwards: Aiden Norris (Western Province), Xola Nyali (Western Province), De Wet Grant Fourie (Lions), Bathobele Hlekani (Sharks), Matt Romao (Sharks), Yabo Ndzamela (Sharks), JJ Theron (Bulls), Thandolwethu Biyela (Lions), Wandile Mlaba (Western Province), Marco Ferreira (Bulls).

Scrumhalves: Haashim Pead (Lions), Juan Loots (Sharks), Christiaan van der Westhuizen (Cheetahs), Zeke January (Bulls).

Flyhalves: Kyle Smith (Western Province), Dominic Malgas (Western Province), JT Kapank (Bulls).

Centres: Tirhani Masondo (Lions), Albie Bester (Sharks), Daniel van der Merwe (Bulls), Demitre Erasmus (Bulls), Scott Nel (Sharks), Jody Schambreel (Lions).

Outside backs: Chijindu Okonta (Sharks), Riyaad Bam (Bulls), JT Strydom (Cheetahs), Gilermo Mentoe (Lions), Jaco Williams (Sharks).