SA Rugby names Under-19 training squad ahead of European Tour
SA Rugby has named a 36-man Under-19 Academy squad for a three-match European tour starting at the end of October. The group includes five players from the Junior Springbok team that won the World Rugby U20 Championship earlier this year. Seen is Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote.
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SA RUGBY has announced a 36-man Under-19 Academy training squad that will embark on a three-match European tour later this month, marking another key step in the pathway to next year’s Junior Springbok campaign.
The group includes five members of the Junior Springbok team that lifted the World Rugby Under-20 Championship trophy earlier this year in Italy – captain Riley Norton, Oliver Reid, Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, Siphosethu Mnebelele, and Vusi Moyo.
The squad will gather at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport on October 22 for a week-long camp before jetting off to Europe, where they will play two fixtures in France and one in Ireland.
Building the next generation
According to SA Rugby, the Under-19 Academy programme forms a vital bridge to the Junior Springbok setup, serving as the primary talent pool for future international representation.
Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote said the upcoming camp and overseas tour will give players an invaluable opportunity to learn and grow.
“This tour will give the players the chance to gain clarity on our game model and experience our Junior Boks culture,” said Foote. “We’re hugely grateful to SA Rugby for supporting this initiative at the end of the year.”
Foote added that only Under-19 players were considered for this tour, as current Under-18 stars are focused on school exams. However, they will be invited to future training camps in December and January.
Strong pipeline from youth rugby
The squad includes 17 players from the 2024 SA Under-18 side and nine from last year’s SA Under-18 ‘A’ team, underscoring the success of SA Rugby’s Elite Player Development programme.
“This is a great opportunity for these young players, drawn from our domestic Under-19 and Under-21 Cup competitions, to stake their claim for national honours,” Foote said. “From a coaching perspective, it’s also a chance to mentor and assess them closely in our environment.”
After the Stellenbosch camp, the group will be trimmed from 36 to 31 players before their departure to Europe.
The bigger picture
The European tour is seen as an early step in preparing the next generation of Junior Boks for the 2026 Under-20 Rugby Championship and the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Georgia, where South Africa will defend their world title.