SA U20 scouts look to Varsity Cup
Two current Varsity Cup players, Justin van Staden (Tuks) and Francois du Toit (Shimlas), have been chosen to train with the South African Under-20 squad ahead of two 'internationals' against an Argentina U20 outfit next month.
Utility back Van Staden, in particular, has excelled for FNB Tuks this season - scoring 64 points in just four matches, whilst flyhalf Du Toit has not, thus far, had the opportunities he would have liked for the FNB Shimlas.
Nevertheless, both Van Staden and Du Toit could come into contention for those games against Argentina's juniors on March 3 and 6 and, again, for the 2010 IRB Junior World Championships in June - the main reason why the squad will go into camp from Sunday.
However, before joining up properly with the SA Under-20 squad, Van Staden (pictured) will first play for Tuks in their crucial Varsity Cup, Round Five clash against the Maties - in Stellenbosch - on Monday afternoon (kick-off 4.30pm).
"We are very close to where we want to be, which is to reach those final stages of preparations for the IRB Junior World Championship," explained SA Under-20 coach Eric Sauls.
"This is therefore the last opportunity for players to face international opposition before the selectors start to finalise the squad for the tournament in Argentina.The selectors will have a close look at how some of the players cope with junior international rugby.
"We must also not forget that there are Under-20 age-group players competing in our other competitions such as the Varsity Cup, the Vodacom Cup and the Super 14. The selectors are also monitoring their progress.
"Hopefully by the end of March, the national selectors will have an idea of the final composition of the squad to represent South Africa at the IRB Junior World Championship."
Although not part of the present SA U20 training squad, new Lions Super Rugby star Wandile Mjekevu - who is a student at the University of Johannesburg, but not playing Varsity Cup because of his Super 14 commitments - will also come into contention for the 'Junior World Cup' when the squad is eventually announced.
The SA Under-20 training squad: Garth April, Gary van Aswegen, Brummer Badenhorst, Mlungisi Bali, Clayton Blommetjies, Ruan Combrink, Jean Cook, Sebastian de Chaves, Christiaan du Rand, Ruan Dreyer, Francois du Toit (hooker), Francois du Toit (flyhalf), Divan Ferguson, Andries Ferreira, Monde Hadebe, Adri Jacobs, Elton Jantjies, Helmut Lehmann, Peet Marais, Sampie Mastriet, Shaun Melton, Frederick Muller, Lubabalo Mtembu, Kenny Okafor, Rinus Riekert, Jono Ross, Nico Scheepers, Louis Schreuder, Lean Schwartz, Sibusiso Sithole, Ruan Smith, CJ Stander, Jaco Taute, Jamba Ulengo, Marcell van der Merwe, Hendrik van der Walt, Justin van Staden, Francois Venter.