Junior Boks primed for bruising Georgia tour as title defence looms

The Junior Springboks are preparing for a stern examination of their resolve when they head into the heart of the European winter for a three-match tour of Georgia, where freezing temperatures and uncompromising opposition await.

The South Africans will use the tour to build cohesion and sharpen their understanding of a refined game model ahead of the international season, fully aware that the physical challenge in Tbilisi will demand both mental steel and tactical clarity.

Junior Bok captain Riley Norton is one of four players in the touring squad who featured in the triumphant campaign that saw South Africa lift the World Rugby Under 20 Championship title in Italy last year. They are joined by several key members of the successful SA Under 18 side from the previous season, adding further depth to a squad rich in pedigree and promise.

For SA Under 20 attack coach Melusi Mthethwa, the tour is about far more than three fixtures. It is a critical opportunity to test the squad’s adaptability in unfamiliar and potentially hostile conditions.

The Junior Boks will first face Georgian club outfit Lelo Saracens before taking on the Georgia national under-20 rugby union team twice in what are expected to be two uncompromising internationals.

Reflecting on the recent training block in South Africa, Mthethwa expressed satisfaction with the squad’s progress. The coaching staff has adjusted their approach this season, placing greater emphasis on match intensity scenarios in addition to traditional drills.

“I’m actually very impressed with the young men in terms of their skill level, their execution, and their detail at this stage of our preparations,” said Mthethwa.

Training matches against FNB Maties and FNB Ikeys offered a valuable gauge of readiness. According to Mthethwa, the tempo and accuracy displayed in those outings underlined the squad’s growing cohesion.

“What impressed me was the speed of the ball and how we were shifting the ball. The concentration levels and ticking the boxes on our structure were awesome for me to witness, especially during our last training game against Ikeys,” he said.

Now in his second year with the Junior Boks, Mthethwa toured Georgia last season and is well aware of the unique obstacles that lie ahead, including the possibility of snow and wet underfoot conditions.

Rather than viewing the weather as a hindrance, he believes it presents a valuable learning curve.

“We can’t control the conditions, but we can control our emotions, how we adapt, and what we need to achieve,” he said.

Georgia’s reputation for a bruising, forward-driven game built on dominant scrums, clinical lineouts, and relentless physicality is well established. For Mthethwa, confronting that direct style head-on is precisely the development tool his players need.

“One of the things we learned in Georgia last year was the necessity to go through the defence instead of just going around them,” he explained, stressing that embracing confrontation remains central to South African rugby identity.

Beyond physical resilience, the tour will also focus on game management and tactical intelligence.

“The primary goal of the tour is to ensure every player is on the same page regarding the team’s tactical and technical framework. Another key focus will be game management, learning when to expand the play and when to rely on a tactical kicking game,” Mthethwa added.

“Back home, we can run hard because conditions are dry everywhere. Now, when we get there, if we encounter snow or rain, we need to understand how to adapt. So that is excellent preparation for our international season.”

Georgia will host the rebranded Junior World Championship in June and July, where the Junior Boks will aim to defend the crown they claimed in Italy last year. The coming weeks in Tbilisi could prove decisive in shaping that campaign.

SA Under 20 Tour Fixtures

All matches to be played in Tbilisi, Georgia

Wednesday, 18 February: SA U20 vs Lelo Saracens

Sunday, 22 February: SA U20 vs Georgia U20

Friday, 27 February: SA U20 vs Georgia U20