SARU reveal SA U20 young guns
Tue, 06 May 2008 12:19
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has confirmed the South African Under-20 team to participate in the inaugural International Rugby Board (IRB) World Junior Championships next month in Wales.
According to The new tournament, which replaces the traditional Under-19 World Championships, takes place from 6-22 June.
No less than 16 players who formed part of last year's SA Under-19 squad have made their way into the Under-20 team. Gerrit-Jan van Velze will captain the team to Wales.
The South African selectors have included three players who have played for the Springbok Sevens already as well as two youngsters with Vodacom Super 14 experience.
Juan de Jong, Robert Ebersohn and Wilton Pietersen, were all capped for the Springbok Sevens team earlier this year.
Centre Stephan Dippenaar and scrumhalf Francois Hougaard (both Vodacom Bulls), are the duo who already boast Super Rugby experience.
(Free State) fullback Pietersen is the current Coca-Cola Craven Week Player of the Year while Golden Lions flanker Johan van Deventer, the 2007 SA Under-19 Player of the Year, was also named amongst the forwards.
In Wales, South Africa will contest Pool B with Samoa, Scotland and the United States.
Eric Sauls, the SA Under-20 coach, said his team was looking forward to the challenge in Wales.
"South Africa has a proud tradition at junior international level with many current Springboks having made their name first at this level. Our squad includes the core of the SA Under-19 team of last year that performed so admirably before losing to New Zealand in the Cup Final.
"I would like to believe that we have a fair amount of continuity and experience in the squad and this will hopefully contribute to our performances.
"We had two training camps and also played against our French counterparts on four occasions this year, so our preparations have been extremely good. The team is looking forward to the tournament and eager to do well," said Sauls.
2008 SA Under-20 squad:
Cecil Africa (Griffons), Henry Bantjes (Blue Bulls), Francois Brummer (Blue Bulls), Juan de Jong (Western Province), Stefan Dippenaar (Blue Bulls), Robert Ebersohn (Free State), Dewaldt Duvenage (Boland), Corne Fourie (Blue Bulls), Cornel Hess (Blue Bulls), Wiehahn Herbst (Natal), Francois Hougaard (Blue Bulls), Frederick Kirsten (Blue Bulls), Ralph Koster (Western Province), Luvuyiso Lusaseni (Natal), Lionel Mapoe (Free State), Martin Miller (Western Province), Thiliphatu Marole (Natal), Sabelo Nhlapo (Natal), Wilton Pietersen (Free State), Jean Rossouw (Western Province), Omphile Seabela (Blue Bulls), Pieter-Willem van Vuuren (Free State), Johan van Deventer (Golden Lions), Gerrit-Jan van Velze (Blue Bulls), Stefan Watermeyer (Blue Bulls), Vainon Willis (Blue Bulls).
Management:
Willem Oliphant (Manager), Eric Sauls (Coach),
Donald Ngwenya (Assistant Coach), Jerome Paarwater (Assistant Coach), Andre Eloff (Technical Assistant), Dr Pierre Viviers (Doctor), Bafana Sihlali (Physiotherapist), Wayne Hector (Physiotherapist), Graham Bentz (Conditioning Coach).
