Super selections for Baby Boks
Blue Bulls flank Wian Liebenberg will lead a powerful South African Under-20 team at the IRB Junior World Championship in Cape Town.
Cheetahs flyhalf Johan Goosen, Stormers prop Steven Kitshoff, locks Paul Willemse (Lions) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (Sharks), as well as Sharks utility back Paul Jordaan are the five squad members who have all played in the demanding 2012 Super Rugby competition.
The trio of Jordaan, William Small-Smith (centre) and Tshotsho Mbovane (wing) also boast international experience - having represented the Springbok Sevens in the Sevens World Series.
And Du Toit was this week called up to the senior Springbok training camp in Pretoria.
Several squad members also played Varsity Cup and Vodacom Cup rugby, while Marvin Orie led the Tuks Under-20 team to success in the Varsity Cup Young Guns competition.
Flyhalf Tony Jantjies is the younger brother of Elton, a Springbok tourist.
Last week the younger Jantjies helped the SA U20 team to 2-0 series win over Argentina.
Dawie Theron, the SA U20 coach, said he was pleased with the squad and confident that the group of promising players will be able to stand up to the challenge of their formidable opponents.
"This is the best available group of players and I am delighted with the composition of the group," Theron said.
"We are mindful of the fact that we did not perform to our potential last year, so that, and the fact that we are playing at home will obviously add to the pressure. The JWC is the pinnacle of a young player’s career and they will be determined to give it their best effort in front of our home fans,” added Theron.
The squad assembles on May 24 in Cape Town.
The SA U20 JWC group fixtures are as follow:
Monday, June 4: v Ireland (Danie Craven Stadium, 19.00)
Friday, June 8: v Italy (UWC Stadium, 19.00)
Tuesday, June 12: v England (Danie Craven Stadium, 19.00)
South Africa Under-20: Dillyn Leyds, Marais Schmidt, Travis Ismaiel, Paul Jordaan, Tshotsho Mbovane, Dean Hammond, Pat Howard, Jan Serfontein, William Small-Smith, Johan Goosen, Tony Jantjies, Abrie Griesel, Kevin Luiters, Shaun Adendorff, Fabian Booysen, Khaya Majola, Wian Liebenberg (captain), Braam Steyn, Pieter-Steph Du Toit, Marvin Orie, Ruan Botha, Paul Willemse, Allan Dell, Oliver Kebble, Steven Kitshoff, Nicolaas van Dyk, Mark Pretorius, Jason Thomas.