South Africa call-ups force Junior Boks into two changes for title defence

Siphosethu Mnebelele will captain South Africa U20 for their defence of the World Rugby Junior World Championship, which gets underway this week, following Riley Norton’s inclusion in Rassie Erasmus’ 46-man squad for the Nations Championship.

Stormers’ 20-year-old lock Norton made his first appearance for the Springboks on Saturday, starting in an 80-31 victory over the Barbarians at Gqeberha’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, which came just days after he was named in Kevin Foote’s Junior Boks squad ahead of the World Championship in Georgia.

Off the back of his first Bok appearance, Norton has been included in South Africa’s Nations Championship squad, where they face England, Scotland and Wales, meaning a rejig is required to the U20 squad, with utility forward Thomas Beling coming into the squad, and the captaincy being handed to hooker Mnebelele.

Fly-half Vusi Moyo finds himself in the exact same position as Norton, having made his first Bok appearance from the bench on Saturday. His call-up to the senior squad has seen 2025 sensation Cheswill Jooste called into the squad, who was previously left out while he was with the Bulls, who lost the United Rugby Championship final to Leinster 36-7 on Friday.

South Africa begin their campaign against Uruguay at Avchala Stadium on June 27 before taking on Georgia on July 2 and Wales on July 7.

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World Rugby U20 Championship

South Africa U20

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Uruguay U20

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“Everyone in the Junior Bok setup is delighted for Riley and Vusi, and we wish them well for the Nations Championship,” said Foote.

“It is every young player’s dream to represent the Springboks, and they thoroughly deserve their opportunity.

“Injuries and call-ups to senior honours are part of the game. Fortunately, we planned for these scenarios, and the players brought into the squad are well integrated into our environment and game model. We are confident in our preparation and excited for the challenge ahead.”

Updated Junior Boks squad:

Props: Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Jooste (DHL Stormers), Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers), Luan van der Berg (Vodacom Bulls).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Jaythen Orange (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), JD Hattingh (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).

Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Vodacom Bulls), Risima Khosa (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Luke Cannon (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Wasi Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vuyo Gwiji (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Gert Kemp (DHL Stormers).

Utility forward: Thomas Beling (Vodacom Bulls).

Scrum-halves: Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Jayden Brits (DHL Stormers).

Fly-half: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers).

Centres: Ethan Adams (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Stormers), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers).

Outside and utility backs: Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), Jack Benade (DHL Stormers), Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Stormers), Akahluwa Boqwana (Vodacom Bulls), Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).