Rambo ready to embark on Junior World Championship mission

The Junior Boks face Uruguay in their opening Pool A match in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Saturday evening. The match kicks off at 18:30, with the Junior Boks eager to make a positive start as they begin the defence of the world title they won in Italy last year.

Kubheka, who was part of the successful 2025 squad, will lead the side against Uruguay and said the honour was not something he could have imagined a year ago. He was entrusted with the captaincy because squad skipper Siphosethu Mnebelele is one of five forwards on the replacement bench.

"It's a blessing for me and such a great honour," said Kubheka.

"If someone had told me a year ago that I would be leading the team as captain in our first match, honestly, I would have thought that was a joke."

The Junior Boks arrived in Georgia as defending champions, but Kubheka said the group were determined to build their own campaign rather than dwell on past achievements.

"We are going in with our own goals," he said.

"We are not dwelling on past achievements. Everyone is very keen to start the tournament on a clean sheet."

Kubheka added that the leadership around him would be important in the opening challenge: "As leaders, we want to lead with action. Having guys who understand that makes your work as captain much easier."

Although Uruguay may be an unfamiliar opponent for many of the South Africans, Kubheka stressed that there would be no room for complacency in the opening round.

"We respect all our opponents and won't take anyone lightly," he continued.

"We always have to be ready for the challenge, no matter who the opposition is."

JD Hattingh, who will start at lock, said representing South Africa at this level remained a significant milestone in his young career: "It's a massive privilege. I've had this dream to wear the green and gold jersey since I was a school kid."

Hattingh said competition for places had sharpened the squad, but that the players understood the importance of putting the team first during a demanding tournament.

"We must do what is best for the team," the SA U20 lock said.

"Whatever the team wants is bigger than my own ambition. The competition is tough, and everyone is striving to get better with each day and each training session."

The match will also mark the first appearance of the year for winger Cheswill Jooste, another member of last year's world title-winning squad, who has been named on the bench after linking up with the Junior Boks following his URC duties with the Bulls.

Meanwhile, the Junior Boks rounded off their match preparation on Friday with the customary captain's walk-through exercise, as they completed their final on-field checks before the tournament opener in Tbilisi.