Junior Boks get Stormers call

11/12/2024 06:18 AM

SA Rugby have confirmed that JC Mars and Divan Fuller have both left the SA U19 Academy camp after being pulled into the DHL Stormers’ Vodacom URC training group.

In the latest update from the camp, which will be used as preparation for next year’s Junior Springboks, SA Rugby confirmed a number of changes to the original group of 48 players to attend the camp from 18 to 30 November at the Stellenbosch Academy Sports (SAS).

A second camp of two weeks is set to be hosted at the same venue, from 8 to 21 December, whereafter the 2025 SA Rugby Academy programme will commence, as frontrunner for the selection of the next year's Junior Springbok squad.

Fuller (loose forward) and Mars (fullback) have been pulled into the DHL Stormers' Vodacom URC training group and were replaced by Aiden Norris and (DHL WP) and JT Strydom (Cheetahs) respectively.

The two up-and-coming stars made a strong impression for Western Province during this year’s Currie Cup and, with fixtures coming thick and fast for the Stormers in December, have got an opportunity to put their hands up for a Vodacom URC debut.

With Siya Ndlozi and Gino Cupido being involved with the SA Sevens Academy squad presently, it was decided to call up Chijindu Okonta (Sharks, left wing) and Daniel van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls, centre) in their place, while WP flyhalf Dominic Malgas is also a new addition.

Furthermore, two players who are currently based in France – Christian Everitt and JC Viljoen – were replaced by HB Odendaal (Lions) and Imaani Phemba (Sharks), while Exauce Tshiamala has been withdrawn from the squad until his eligibility status has been confirmed.

Players who are in matric this year were not considered for the camps, but will get an opportunity to stake their claims next year.

SA Rugby have lined up a couple of fixtures for the U19 Academy squad, with a short international tour to Europe for the Junior Boks early in 2025 also on the cards before next year's U20 Rugby Championship.

Details of the Academy fixtures and next year's Junior Bok European tour will be announced once all arrangements have been confirmed.

Newly-appointed Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote is excited about his new challenge, working alongside assistant coaches Lumumba Currie and Melusi Mthethwa, whose appointment was confirmed two weeks ago.

"The main aim for now is for us to work with a full squad during the two camps, which will include two training matches, so that we have a clear picture for the selection of our SA Rugby Academy intake next year, which is the main building block in terms of pre-season training for the Junior Boks,” Foote explained.

"Our coaching, medical and administrative staff have worked hard over the last few weeks to make the U19 Academy camp a reality, and I want to thank them, as well as the Talent Management Department and the other SA Rugby staff, for putting in place this exciting programme in such a short space of time.

"We are all excited to work with this very talented group, and the coaching staff and I cannot wait to get onto the training field to get the ball rolling," added Foote.

Updated SA Rugby U19 Academy squad:
Props: Simphiwe Ngobese (Sharks), Christoff Etzebeth (Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Cheetahs), Ranon Fouche (Bulls), Sandi Msengana (Bulls), Jean Erasmus (Bulls), Ali Thiam (Bulls), Herman Lubbe (Western Province).
Hookers: HB Odendaal (Lions), Imaani Pemba (Sharks), Jaundre Schoeman (Bulls), Stefan Venter (Cheetahs).
Locks: Danio Botha (DHL Western Province), Neil Hansen (Lions), Michael Versfeld (Bulls), Ulrich van der Westhuizen (Sharks), Kuhle Mthimkhulu (Sharks) Morne Venter (Lions), Eduan Vosloo (Bulls).
Loose forwards: Aiden Norris (Western Province), Xola Nyali (Western Province), De Wet Grant Fourie (Lions), Bathobele Hlekani (Sharks), Matt Romao (Sharks), Yabo Ndzamela (Sharks), JJ Theron (Bulls), Thandolwethu Biyela (Lions), Wandile Mlaba (Western Province), Marco Ferreira (Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Haashim Pead (Lions), Juan Loots (Sharks), Christiaan van der Westhuizen (Cheetahs), Zeke January (Bulls).
Flyhalves: Kyle Smith (Western Province), Dominic Malgas (Western Province), JT Kapank (Bulls).
Centres: Tirhani Masondo (Lions), Albie Bester (Sharks), Daniel van der Merwe (Bulls), Demitre Erasmus (Bulls), Scott Nel (Sharks), Jody Schambreel (Lions).
Outside backs: Chijindu Okonta (Sharks), Riyaad Bam (Bulls), JT Strydom (Cheetahs), Gilermo Mentoe (Lions), Jaco Williams (Sharks).

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

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