Junior Springboks know how to connect, says coach Foote ahead of World U20 opener

After a lengthy build-up, the Junior Springboks are “feeling the energy” ahead of their World Under-20 Championship opener against Australia in Italy on Sunday.

Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote announced his match-23 on Friday for the clash against the Junior Wallabies at the San Michele Stadium in Calvisano (3.30pm SA time kick-off), which boasts a number of top-class youngsters eager to make their mark on the global stage.

Powerful forward Bathobele Hlekani will hope to make a big impression at blindside flank, having featured for the SA Under-20 in last year’s tournament as well.

The Junior Boks will be will be captained by Western Province lock Riley Norton, while other notable figures include fullback Gilermo Mentoe, flyhalf Vusi Moyo and scrumhalf Haashim Pead.

“We are extremely excited about starting the World Championship in Italy,” Foote said on Friday.

“It’s a great country, and you can feel the energy within the group.

“The players have prepared well, they’ve got clarity, and they are just such a great group together.

“Selection is always tough and leaving some guys out is hard, but we’ve gone with a team that has played a lot together now, has a lot of synergy and understanding of our game, and knows how to connect on the field.

“We are very excited about the team that we have selected, with Riley Norton captaining the side, and he will be assisted by Haashim Pead, JJ Theron and Siphosethu Mnebelele.”

Lock Jaco Grobbelaar and speedster Jaco Williams played for the senior Bulls and Sharks side in the United Rugby Championship last season, and will be keen to make significant contributions off the bench in the second.

“He’s (Grobbelaar) trained very well since joining (last week),” Foote said.

“Having his big physical presence is fundamental to the way we want to play, and the same goes for Jaco Williams (outside back), who also joined late after completing his URC campaign with the Sharks.

“The nice thing about them is the calmness that they bring in their roles.”

Junior Springbok Team

15 Gilermo Mentoe 14 Cheswill Jooste 13 Demitre Erasmus 12 Albie Bester 11 Siyabonga Ndlozi 10 Vusi Moyo 9 Haashim Pead 8 Wandile Mlaba 7 Bathobele Hlekani 6 Xola Nyali 5 JJ Theron 4 Riley Norton (captain) 3 Herman Lubbe 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele 1 Simphiwe Ngobese.

Bench: 16 Jaundre Schoeman 17 Oliver Reid 18 Jean Erasmus 19 Jaco Grobbelaar 20 Matt Romao 21 Erich Visser 22 Ian van der Merwe 23 Jaco Williams.