According to Johan Ackermann, the Junior Boks' coaching consultant, the Junior Springboks are primed and ready as they enter the final phase of their preparations for the highly anticipated Under-20 Rugby Championship, set to take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha from 1 to 11 May.
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THE JUNIOR Springboks are primed and ready as they enter the final phase of their preparations for the highly anticipated Under-20 Rugby Championship, set to take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha from May 1 to 11.
According to Johan Ackermann, the Junior Boks' coaching consultant, the young South Africans are eager to test themselves against some of the best Under-20 sides in the world, including New Zealand, Argentina, and Australia.
Reflecting on the team's successful recent tour to Georgia – where the Junior Boks secured a 2-0 series victory in Tbilisi – Ackermann emphasised that the experience was invaluable in refining their game ahead of next week’s opener 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," said Ackermann. "We recently went to Georgia and identified areas we had to work on. Since then, the team has been working hard, even before the Easter break, to make sure we are ready when the tournament kicks off."
The Junior Boks will launch their campaign next Thursday, May 1, when they face Argentina at 4.10pm. Earlier that day, New Zealand and Australia will open the tournament with a clash at 2pm.
Ackermann, who is assisting SA Under-20 assistant coach Lumumba Currie with focusing on the forwards, stressed the crucial role of set pieces in their preparations. "We are working hard on our set piece because we know we are up against top international teams that are going to test us on all fronts," he said.
The former Springbok lock, who boasts coaching experience across South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Japan, also shared his excitement about the tournament being hosted in the rugby-mad Eastern Cape.
“It’s always good to be in the Eastern Cape, where there is such a passion for the game,” Ackermann added. “We have a wonderful group of boys who are eager to learn and keen to test their skills against the best in the Southern Hemisphere.”
Ackermann also highlighted the importance of hosting international rugby in the region once again, noting that the last time the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium welcomed international teams was back in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when matches between the Springboks and Argentina took place without spectators.
This year, however, fans will have the chance to see South Africa's next generation of rugby stars live in action as the Junior Boks aim to improve on their runner-up finish in last year’s inaugural edition of the Under-20 Rugby Championship.
Tickets are affordably priced at R20 per person and are available from the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium ticket office or online via Webtickets.
Under-20 Rugby Championship Fixtures (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium):
South African fans are urged to come out in numbers to support the Junior Boks as they chase glory on home soil.
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