Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote already backing boys to defend U20 title
With a large contingent of the World Champion Junior Springboks available for the 2026 campaign, the future looks rosy.
SA U20 superstar Haashim Pead named in Lions' Currie Cup squad
Pead was named the Player of the Tournament following the Junior Boks' victory over New Zealand in the U20 World Championship final last Saturday.
The young talent boasted incredible numbers, even surpassing France megastar Antoine Dupont's record for running metres by a scrumhalf at the tournament, racking up 232m from 15 carries during the pool stages. Pead also scored six tries and assisted four.
He was one of three Junior Boks - the others being flyers Cheswill Jooste and the destructive Batho Hlekani - invited to train with the all-conquering senior Springboks at an upcoming training camp.
On Wednesday, Pead was also named in the Lions’ Currie Cup squad, alongside Junior Bok teammates Gilermo Mentoe, Thando Biyela and Morne Venter.
Experienced hooker Jaco Visage will lead the Mziwakhe Nkosi-coached side once again. The duo led the Lions to the final in 2024, where they lost via a 60m Jordan Hendrikse penalty in the dying embers of the match.
Perhaps fittingly, the Lions get their Currie Cup campaign underway against the Sharks in Johannesburg on Friday.
Lions Currie Cup squad
Forwards: Jaco Visagie (c), SJ Kotze, Morgan Naude, Heiko Pohlmann, RF Schoeman, Conrad van Vuuren, Sebastian Lombard, Siya Dube, Stian de Bruyn, Franco Marais, Morne Brandon, Marno Grobbelaar, Thando Biyela, Raynard Roets, Darrien Landsberg, Dylan Sjoblom, Johnre Stopforth, Tiaan Wessels, Luca Ribbens, Renzoi du Plessis, Jarod Cairns, WJ Steenkamp, Izan Esterhuizen, Siba Zoma, Morne Venter.
Backs: Nico Steyn, Layton Horn, Zian Cilliers, Haashim Pead, Lubabalo Dobela, Sam Francis, Kade Wolhuter, Gianni Lombard, Tapiwa Mafura, Gilermo Mentoe, Rynhardt Jonker, Bingo Ivanisevic, Alzeadon Fleix, Kelly Mpeku, Bronson Mills, Manuel Rass, Rabz Maxwane, Angelo Davids, Likhona Finca, Keagan Smith, Michail Damon.
Eight Junior Boks in Western Province Currie Cup squad
The Western Province squad for the upcoming Currie Cup is awash with Junior Springboks, with no less than eight world champion Junior Boks ready for action.
Two South African squads announced for U18 International Series in Paarl
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote and his coaching team will work with the two SA squads for next month's U18 International Series in and around Paarl, in the Western Cape.
Junior Boks return home to hero's welcome after stunning U20 Championship victory
The Junior Springboks received a hero's welcome on their return to South Africa on Monday, following their triumphant World Rugby U20 Championship victory in Italy.