SA U20s to unleash Blitzbok on Pumitas

Sevens speedster Gino Cupido features in a Riley Norton-led Junior Springboks lineup against Argentina in their U20 Rugby Championship opener in Gqeberha on Thursday.

It is the second match of a double-header at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, following the clash between the defending champions New Zealand and Australia.

The Pumitas gave their South African U20 rivals a tough time last year in the inaugural tournament Down Under, where a Philip-Albert van Niekerk penalty at the death clinched a 30-28 win for the Junior Boks.

The Junior Bok starting XV includes the likes of Norton, Wandile Mlaba, a member of last year’s squad, and the 2024 SA Schools and SA U18 captain Sethu Mnebelele, among the forwards.

Winger Cupido, who made his Blitzboks debut at the Hong Kong Sevens in mid-March, starts in an exciting backline with Cheswill Jooste and Western Province flyhalf Kyle Smith.

Sharks utility forward Batho Hlekani and Stormers flyer JC Mars are set to make an impact off the bench.

REWIND: Junior Boks make Rugby Champs splash

“Our squad selection for this first game was difficult because there are so many talented guys, which speaks volumes about our depth,” said Junior Bok head coach Kevin Foote.

“We’ve decided on a more settled pack – there’s only one change in the pack from our last training match against Hamilton’s, with our captain Riley Norton coming into the starting lineup after a slight injury.”

“Among our backs, we have welcomed back Haashim Pead at scrumhalf with his experience,” he added. “Like Riley, he also had a niggle, which is why he didn’t play in the last training match. There’s also Gino, who comes into the squad after making his Blitzbok debut recently, and JC Mars is also included.”

Foote said they are aware of the huge challenge against the strong South Americans: “We’ve done our homework and know what Argentina is going to bring to the game. We understand and respect their passion, and they are also looking forward to this opportunity to play for their country. 

“We have a lot of respect for the Argentinians around their contact and set play, and we are looking forward to playing against them.”

JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS – 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Gino Cupido, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Matt Romao, 6 Thando Biyela, 5 JJ Theron, 4 Riley Norton (c), 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Sethu Mnebelele, 1 Oliver Reid.
Bench: 16 Juandre Erasmus, 17 Ranon Fouche, 18 JD Erasmus, 19 Morne Visser, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 JC Mars.

U20 Rugby Championship fixtures (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium):
Thursday, 1 May
2pm: New Zealand vs Australia
4:10pm: Junior Boks vs Argentina
Tuesday, 6 May
2pm: New Zealand vs Argentina
4:10pm: Junior Boks vs Australia
Sunday, 11 May
2pm: Argentina vs Australia
4:10pm: Junior Boks vs New Zealand

Photo: @Blitzboks/Twitter