South Africa U20 player ratings vs Uruguay | World Rugby Junior World Championships 2026

Junior Springboks player ratings: Anything other than a hammering of underdogs Uruguay would have been a moral loss for the Junior Boks and they didn’t fail to deliver for coach Kevin Foote.

Uruguay put up a brave effort but the Baby Boks were just on a different level and, in truth, this was a mismatch from the outset. The final score of 104-7 told its own story. Even so, there were still little details to like, others to tidy up, and the odd dose of brainrot despite a completely one-sided afternoon.

1. Rambo Kubheka – 7.5
The captain led from the front with plenty of physical intent and was one of the Junior Boks’ busiest tacklers before making way at the break. South Africa edged the scrum without ever completely dismantling Uruguay, but Kubheka’s work-rate around the park stood out.

2. Liam van Wyk – 7
Threw a solid lineout for the most part, with his darts generally finding the mark after one early wobble elsewhere in the set-piece. Also got through a decent shift in the loose before being replaced at half-time.

3. Luan van der Berg – 7
Showed his value carrying ball in hand and was prepared to get over the gainline on the few occasions he was called upon to do so. The scrum had the upper hand rather than being utterly dominant, but he played his part.

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4. Jaythen Orange – 8
The towering 6ft 7in lock looked every inch an athletic specimen. Showed surprising pace when he handled defenders before releasing the backs for one 5-pointer and added plenty around the field. A real prospect.

5. JD Hattingh – 7.5
Had one frustrating moment when a lineout steal slipped through his grasp, but immediately made amends by pinching the next opportunity. A steady afternoon in the engine room before making way during the wholesale second-half changes.

6. Risima Khosa – 8.5
A hat-trick only tells part of the story. Had already bagged the four-try bonus point before 20 minutes, then produced a lovely delayed pass to put Ethan Adams over. His third was the pick of the bunch, sprinting home from halfway with serious gas as Uruguay wilted. Constantly popped up in support and was a menace throughout.

7. Gert Kemp – 8
Didn’t quite set the world alight during the opening 40 but quietly got through an enormous amount of unseen graft. Saved his best until late on with a superb individual finish, beating two defenders including one with a delicious outside step. Finished with 113 metres of carrying.

8. Vuyo Gwiji – 7
Delivered some thumping defensive hits and consistently got South Africa over the gainline. One of the side’s leading tacklers alongside Kubheka and played with plenty of authority without needing flashy moments.

9. Hendre Schoeman – 7
Shanked one early clearance into touch from the base, although the strong wind offered some mitigation. Otherwise kept the tempo high and was heavily involved before his early second-half withdrawal.

10. Alzeadon Felix – 7
Didn’t have his best afternoon from the kicking tee, missing a couple of conversions, but his attacking game more than compensated. Constantly challenged the line and repeatedly put runners into space with clever distribution.

11. Jordan Steenkamp – 8.5
Watch this man. Got involved almost immediately with a strike run before producing a brilliant solo score after Giliomee’s initial break. His second finish, weaving inside and outside two defenders before gassing over, was another worldie. Had to wait 70 minutes to get his hattrick but he took it in style. Cramp and a few unnecessary turnovers knocked him back from a nine, but this was still an outstanding outing.

12. Ethan Adams – 8.5
Every carry seemed to generate metres. His violent running lines repeatedly tore holes through the Uruguayan defence and he formed a frightening midfield combination with Markus Muller. Took his try well and looked a class above whenever he had ball in hand despite an early knock-on.

13. Markus Muller – 8
The highly-rated midfielder justified the hype. Crashed over early using his powerful 97kg frame, continually broke the first tackle and bullied the Uruguayan midfield alongside Adams. Also produced an outstanding try-saving tackle after a dangerous crossfield kick nearly caught South Africa out.

14. Khuthadzo Rasivhaga – 8.5
Had an early blood injury interruption but returned after being stitched up and immediately reminded everyone what they’d missed. Finished one try in style before somehow producing an even better second, beating three defenders with a blend of pace, footwork and power.

15. Luan Giliomee – 8
Kicked intelligently from the back and his lovely half-break created Steenkamp’s opening score. Missed one conversion but generally managed territory well and linked effectively into attack.

Replacements – 7.5
Kevin Foote emptied his bench with the contest effectively over at 50-0 and every replacement made a positive contribution. Cheswill Jooste grabbed a try and later produced a selfless assist for Siphosethu Mnebelele, even if the pass perhaps carried a little more risk than was necessary. Jayden Brits scored soon after arriving and again before the close, Akahluwa Boqwana controlled matters well and kicked accurately, while the remaining replacements slotted seamlessly into a side that never took its foot off the accelerator. The opposition simply weren’t strong enough to properly test the depth of this Junior Boks squad.