Junior Springbok 42-man training squad announced as fresh U18 talent joins 2026 campaign

THE Junior Springboks have opened the door to a fresh wave of talent as they prepare to welcome a 42-man training squad to Stellenbosch on Wednesday, 21 January. Junior Bok head coach Kevin Foote has emphasised the importance of mental freshness and technical foundations as the team gears up for its 2026 campaign.

The camp marks a significant step in the build-up to next year’s international schedule, featuring a carefully balanced mix of seasoned campaigners and exciting new talent graduating from the SA Under 18 ranks. Among those returning are 13 players who toured France and Ireland with the SA U19 side late last year, reinforcing the squad’s continuity and experience.

Foote explained that the selection process was driven by a strong focus on managing the workload of the younger players. Many were deliberately rested from the European tour last November to recover from a demanding year that included Grade 12 exams, school rugby programmes, the FNB U18 Craven Week, and the U18 International Series.

“Bringing them in fresh is a big positive for us. They are training hard with the unions, and we’re expecting them to do really well,” Foote said. “I believe it isn’t a lack of talent for us; it’s about making sure we get the foundation of the culture and the environment right for these young men to excel.”

New additions to the camp include promising forwards Kai Pratt and JG Badenhorst, lock AJ Meyer, loose forwards Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera and Gert Kemp, flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, centres Markus Miller and Ethan Adams, and fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya.

The squad also includes familiar names from last year’s Junior World Championship-winning side, such as captain Riley Norton and teammates Oliver Reid, Rambo Kubheka, Siphosethu Mnebelele and Alzeadon Felix.

Notably absent from the squad is flyhalf Vusi Moyo, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation following a minor hip operation to ensure he is ready for the upcoming international season. Wing Cheswill Jooste, another Junior Bok stalwart, will continue with the Vodacom Bulls in the United Rugby Championship, while utility back Luan Giliomee is currently with the Springbok Sevens programme.

Foote said the camp will be a high-intensity preparation block, with a clear emphasis on sharpening the Junior Bok DNA: set-piece dominance, tactical kicking, strong defence and attacking flair.

“We go pretty hard at our DNA, and we want to make sure we put a good set-piece platform together,” he said. “The focus is also on game management, understanding which parts of the field we want to play and maintaining a high tempo.”

The training block includes warm-up matches against UCT and Maties, leading into a short tour of Georgia. The squad will depart on 15 February for three matches and return on 28 February.

Foote warned that the tour will be challenging both physically and mentally, with extreme weather conditions and a unique cultural environment to navigate.

“These sessions are vital preparation for a challenging tour to Georgia, where the squad will face extreme conditions, including training and playing in temperatures below freezing,” he said. “The Georgian tour will test us with regard to the conditions and the culture, but it’s a great opportunity to focus on what we can control.”

Foote added that the tour will also be an opportunity to build cohesion and identity.

“We want to focus on our team combinations, understanding our culture, and creating those moments together that you can reflect on when hard times come.”