Baby Boks keen to 'prove a point'
The desire to prove their detractors wrong, rather than the expectations of home ground advantage, is what will drive South Africa's youngsters at the 2012 IRB Junior World Championships.
The key age grade tournament will be played from June 4 to 22 in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Paul Jordaan, the Sharks utility back and Springbok Sevens player, said the Baby Boks are determined to make up for the disappointments of 2011 - where South Africa failed to make the semifinals after an inferior points difference saw Australia edge them out of the main competition in Italy.
Fresh from his match-clinching 50-metre try against Argentina Under-20 at the weekend, Jordaan feels that they are well-placed to go all the way this year.
The Baby Boks wrapped a three-match series against the touring Pumitas (Argentina U20) with a 13-5 win in the third and final encounter in Stellenbosch at the weekend.
It is at the same Danie Craven Stadium where South Africa will get their 2012 campaign underway against Ireland in June 4.
South Africans always have high expectations of their national teams, including the Junior Bokkies, and the Class of 2012 is determined to live up to those lofty demands of the public.
"We didn't do that well last year, so we would like to make the step up ... prove a point this year," Jordaan told this website in an exclusive interview - when asked about the global event later this year.
After beating Scotland (33-0) and Ireland (42-26), South Africa lost (20-26) to England in pool play last year. Although they were second in their pool, the Aussies' superior points differential saw them advance ahead of the Baby Boks into the main semifinals.
SA were left to contest the minor placings, beating Ireland (57-15) and Fiji (104-17) to finish fifth in the Italian tournament.
That was a major disappointment, according to Jordaan, who played in Italy and will be a key member of the Class of 2012.
The Baby Boks will again have England and Ireland in their pool this year, with Italy making up the numbers.
"New Zealand and England always have powerful teams at this [U20] tournament," Jordaan told this website, adding: "They will be tough as usual."
However, he is confident that the Baby Boks will be up for the 2012 challenge.
"We have a strong group and we did well at Under-18 age group when we beat England [in 2010], so we should do well."
He admitted that there are always high expectations of any South African team - be that at age-group or senior level.
Dawie Theron, now in his second year of coaching the Baby Boks, will also have a better idea of what to expect.
However, Jordaan said it is not about the coach.
"Dawie [Theron] is a great coach and the structures are in place," he said, adding: "It is more about the players that must take the game plan on board and execute.
"It is also how the team gel and the passion to play fir the jersey - it is more about the players and we really have a great team.
"We have a few players who have Super Rugby experience and several players who play at Vodacom Cup level, so it should be a good year."
Jordaan, who has just returned from a month-long Super Rugby tour with the Sharks without any game time, is likely to be one of the key backline players in 2012 - after featuring strongly in last year's IRB Junior World Championship.
The 20-year-old former Grey College (Bloemfontein) scholar, can do a job at flyhalf, centre or wing.
However, with his international Sevens experience and express pace he was a great asset on the wing against Argentina U20 at the weekend - where he scored the Baby Boks' only try in the 13-5 win.
The utility back came off the bench in the Sharks' first three Super Rugby matches of the season - against the Bulls, Stormers and Lions - but haven't featured since.
"This is definitely a great stepping stone for young players to prove themselves," Jordaan said of the U20 tournament.
"They can play against guys of their own age, but quality players from around the world."
He said Super Rugby is at "another level", certainly much tougher than age-group rugby.
"If you come from Super Rugby and play here [at Under-20 level] you appreciate the opportunity you get to be a Junior Bok," he told this website.
"This is a great opportunity for young players, especially for guys who use the opportunity - more so if the team does well, for the players going forward."
He said Super Rugby is definitely more physical and played at a much higher tempo.
"Your time to make decisions, to take a gap, is maybe five seconds at Under-20 level, but perhaps only two seconds at Super Rugby.
"It is tougher, but very enjoyable," he said, adding that it is a huge step up.
"I think a guy like [Cheetahs flyhalf] Johann Goosen is going very, very well.
"Hopefully he can come and join up with us here [at U20] at a later stage [ahead of the IRB U20 World Cup]," Jordaan said of one of his 2011 Baby Bok teammates.
By Jan de Koning