Ackermann: Junior Boks ready to meet U20 Rugby Championship challenge

The Junior Springboks are in the final stages of their preparations for the Under-20 Rugby Championship, set to take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha from 1-11 May, and according to the team’s coaching consultant Johan Ackermann, they are eager to showcase their skills against some of the world's best U20 teams.

Reflecting on their recent successful tour to Georgia, where the Junior Boks secured a 2-0 series win over their hosts in Tbilisi, Ackermann emphasized the importance of the lessons learned as they build towards next week’s opening round fixture against Argentina.

“The players are really looking forward to this exciting challenge that lies ahead – we are playing against three of the best teams in the world in New Zealand, Argentina and Australia,” said Ackermann.

“We recently went to Georgia and saw things that we really had to work on. So, we are working hard these next couple of days and did so even before the Easter break, to be prepared when the tournament kicks off.”

The Junior Boks will begin their campaign on Thursday against Argentina at 4.10pm, following the tournament opener between New Zealand and Australia at 2pm.

Ackermann, who together with SA U20 assistant coach Lumumba Currie are focusing on the forwards, highlighted the importance of the set pieces in their preparations: “We are working hard on our set piece because we know we are up against some of the best international teams that are going to test us on all fronts.”

The former Springbok lock, who has extensive coaching experience in South Africa, the UK and Japan, also expressed his excitement about playing in the Eastern Cape, a region known for its passion for rugby.

“It’s always good to be in the Eastern Cape where there is such a passion for the game,” said Ackermann. “We have a wonderful group of boys who are eager to learn and looking forward to testing their skills against the best in the Southern Hemisphere.”

Ackermann also noted the significance of hosting international rugby in the region again, recalling the last time the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium hosted international matches was in 2021, when the Springboks and Argentina met twice but with no spectators in attendance due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Now, rugby enthusiasts have an opportunity to see the next generation of Springboks in action during the second edition of the U20 Rugby Championship, with the South Africans aiming to go one better than second place in last year’s event.

Tickets are priced at R20 per person and will be available at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium ticket office or online from Webtickets.

Junior Springbok squad for the U20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha

Props: Ranon Fouché (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Herman Lubbe (DHL Western Province), Oliver Reid (DHL Western Province).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Jaundré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), HB Odendaal (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Locks: Neil Hansen (Fidelity ADT Lions), Morné Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions), Riley Norton (DHL Western Province), JJ Theron (Vodacom Bulls).

Loose forwards: Batho Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Xola Nyali (DHL Western Province), Matt Romao (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (DHL Western Province), Thando Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Haashim Pead (Fidelity ADT Lions), Erich Visser (Toyota Cheetahs).

Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kyle Smith (DHL Western Province).

Centres: Albie Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gino Cupido (DHL Western Province), Demitre Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Dominic Malgas (DHL Western Province).

Outside backs: Scott Nel (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gilermo Mentoe (Fidelity ADT Lions), Siya Ndlozi (DHL Western Province), Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), JC Mars (DHL Western Province).

Fixtures

Thursday, 1 May

2pm: New Zealand v Australia

4.10pm: Junior Boks v Argentina

Tuesday, 6 May

2pm: New Zealand v Argentina

4.10pm: Junior Boks v Australia

Sunday, 11 May

2pm: Argentina v Australia

4.10pm: Junior Boks v New Zealand