Junior Boks beef up with Varsity Cup stars

The inclusion of Herman Lubbe and Zuko Poswa are among the new faces called up by head coach Kevin Foote for the Junior Springboks’ next gathering in Stellenbosch. 

Forwards Lubbe and Phoswa, who have played key roles for unbeaten Varsity Cup leaders Maties this season, will link up with a 41-man squad at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport next week, their third training camp of the year and first since returning from a successful tour in Georgia three weeks ago.

The group will assemble from Monday to continue their preparations for the international season and the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy in June and July.

“We have some nice additions in the pack and among the backs,” said Foote.

“It’s great to have several forwards returning, such as JJ Theron, Jaco Grobbelaar and Wandile Mlaba, while we have also included Herman Lubbe and Zuko Phoswa, who were playing in the Varsity Cup.

“Among the backs, we have Kyle Smith back from injury and he has been really involved throughout his rehabilitation. Albie Bester joins the group of centres, and Gino Cupido will join us after returning from the Far East with the Springbok Sevens squad. We also have some exciting backs joining us for this training block.”

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Reflecting on their recent tour, Foote said: “We are grateful and very pleased with the effort of the group in Georgia. What we have is a squad that is very connected and caring for each other, which is exciting for us going forward.” 

Looking ahead to the next few weeks of training, Foote explained their big focus is preparing for the U20 Championship while they await confirmation of the U20 Rugby Championship.

“We will focus a lot on the details of our set piece and our kicking game, and how we want to play according to our South African rugby DNA,” said Foote.

“We aim to get fitter, stronger, and even tighter with each other. The emphasis during conditioning will be on the speed of the ball, how we want to play, and what areas we want to play in. We will achieve this through our training environment, our gym, and conditioning sessions.

“We will push the intensity up during the camp to ensure we are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.” 

Outside backs JC Mars and Jaco Williams are both injured, but Mars will join the squad for meetings as he is based in Cape Town.

Full Junior Bok squad:
Props: Ranon Fouche, Jean Erasmus (both Vodacom Bulls), Simphiwe Ngobese (Sharks), Tebogo Nkosi (Cheetahs), Herman Lubbe, Oliver Reid (both Western Province).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele, Jaundre Schoeman (both Bulls), HB Odendaal (Lions).
Locks: Kuhle Mthimkhulu (Sharks), Neil Hansen, Morne Venter (both Lions), Riley Norton (WP), Hannes Grobbelaar (Bulls), Zuko Poswa (WP)
Loose forwards: Batho Hlekani, Yabo Ndzamela (both Sharks), Divan Fuller, Xola Nyali (WP), Stephanus Linde (Cheetahs), JJ Theron (Bulls), Matt Romao (Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (Western WP), Thando Biyela (Lions).
Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Sharks), Brooklyn Newman (Bulls), Haashim Pead (Lions).
Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Yaqeen Ahmed, Kyle Smith (both WP).
Centres: Albie Bester (Sharks), Gino Cupido (WP), Demitre Erasmus (Bulls).
Outside backs: Scott Nel (Sharks), Gilermo Mentoe (Lions), Siya Ndlozi (WP), Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), Chijindu Okonta (Sharks), JT Kapank (Bulls).
Utility back: Dominic Malgas (WP).

Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images