JF van Heerden will captain a Junior Springbok side showing several changes when they take on Australia in the second round of the Under-20 Rugby Championship at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina, Queensland on Tuesday.
It was not the result they wanted, but the Junior Springboks were happy with the effort and learnings from their U20 Rugby Championship opener played in very difficult conditions against a strong New Zealand Under-20 side in Australia.
Zachary Porthen will lead the Junior Springboks against New Zealand on Thursday, in the opening round of the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina, Queensland in Australia.
When the Junior Springboks open their Under-20 Rugby Championship campaign against New Zealand at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on Thursday, they will have the benefit of calling on the calmness of towering lock JF van Heerden.
The Junior Springboks wrapped up their preparations for the forthcoming Under-20 Rugby Championship with a training session against the Golden Lions Under-21 squad in Sandton on Tuesday and will fly out to Australia on an early evening flight on Wednesday.
Five members of last year’s Junior Springbok squad were included in the 31-player touring group for the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship in Australia, that was announced by SA U20 head coach Bafana Nhleko.
The Junior Springboks will kick off the inaugural Rugby Championship (TRC) Under-20 tournament with an exciting match against New Zealand on Thursday, 2 May at the Sunshine Coast Stadium, SANZAAR confirmed on Wednesday when it announced the draw for new competition.
Junior Springbok Women head coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt has appointed Western Province No 8 Beyonce du Plessis as captain for their international friendly against Zimbabwe in East London on Tuesday, with Bulls Daisies centre Shiniqwa Lamprecht serving as her deputy.
Junior Springbok head coach Bafana Nhleko praised his South African U20 squad's effort on Friday when they outplayed England to win the bronze final of the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championships, with France taking the title for a third successive time by beating Ireland in the final.
The Junior Boks are excited and keen to deliver a performance that will leave a legacy for the 2023 team when they face England at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town in the World Rugby U20 Championship third place playoff on Friday.