Among the backline reinforcements, Kyle Smith is back from injury after completing his rehabilitation, while Albie Bester and Gino Cupido have joined the squad. Cupido, fresh from his time with the Springbok Sevens squad, adds valuable experience and versatility to the backline.

Reflecting on their time in Georgia, Foote expressed satisfaction with the team’s growth and camaraderie. “We are grateful and very pleased with the effort of the group in Georgia. What we have is a squad that are well-connected and caring for each other, which is exciting for us going forward.”

With the international season approaching, the Junior Boks are eager to fine-tune their game. While awaiting confirmation of SANZAAR’s U20 Rugby Championship, their primary focus will be on the details of their set piece and kicking game, all in line with the traditional South African rugby DNA.

“We will focus a lot on the details of our set piece and our kicking game and how we want to play according to our South African rugby DNA,” said Foote. “The emphasis during conditioning will be on the speed of the ball, how we want to play, and what areas we want to play in. We will achieve this through our training environment, our gym, and conditioning sessions.”

The intensity of training is set to increase as the squad aims to be fitter, stronger, and more cohesive ahead of their upcoming challenges. Unfortunately, outside backs JC Mars and Jaco Williams are unavailable due to injury, but Mars will still participate in team meetings as he is based in Cape Town.

Junior Bok Training Squad in Stellenbosch:

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

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

Locks: Kuhle Mthimkhulu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neil Hansen (Fidelity ADT Lions), Morne Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions), Riley Norton (DHL Western Province), Jaco Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Zuko Phoswa (DHL Western Province).

Loose forwards: Batho Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Yabo Ndzamela (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Divan Fuller (DHL Western Province), Xola Nyali (DHL Western Province), Stephanus Linde (Toyota Cheetahs), JJ Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Matt Romao (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (DHL Western Province), Thando Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions), Marco Ferreira (Vodacom Bulls).

Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Brooklyn Newman (Vodacom Bulls), Haashim Pead (Fidelity ADT Lions).

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

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

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

Utility back: Dominic Malgas (DHL Western Province).

With a strengthened squad and a focused training plan, the Junior Boks are determined to build on their recent success as they gear up for a defining international season.

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