The gauntlet has been laid down. Seven heroes from Italy’s 2025 triumph will spearhead South Africa’s defence of their World Rugby Junior World Championship crown in Georgia, as head coach Kevin Foote unveiled his final squad on Friday for the global showpiece running from 27 June to 18 July.
Captain Riley Norton leads a battle-hardened contingent of returning champions into Georgian territory, where the Junior Boks will attempt what no South African U20 side has achieved before, back-to-back world titles on foreign soil.
The magnificent seven return
Norton anchors the second row alongside fellow survivors from last year’s Italian job, props Oliver Reid and Rambo Kubheka, hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele, flyhalf Vusi Moyo, wing Cheswill Jooste, and fullback Alzeadon Felix. That core of experience could prove decisive when the heat intensifies in Tbilisi’s cauldron.
But Foote’s selection headache extended far beyond choosing his veterans. Ten squad members remain on senior national duty, included in the wider Springbok group for the Barbarians fixture and SA ‘A’ clash against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha on 20 June. They’ll join the Junior Bok camp as soon as released, adding further depth to an already formidable squad.
Jooste faces the tantalising prospect of potentially featuring in next Friday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final with the Bulls before linking up with his U20 teammates, a scheduling juggling act that speaks volumes about the talent at Foote’s disposal.
Youth movement: Nine players eye 2027 return
Remarkably, nine squad members remain U19 and eligible for next year’s championship. Props Jordan Jooste and Luan van der Berg, lock Jaythen Orange, loose forwards Gert Kemp and Wasi Vyambwera, centre Ethan Adams, wing Jordan Steenkamp, and the senior squad duo of centre Markus Muller and fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya represent South Africa’s embarrassment of riches moving forward.
The Junior Boks will be officially capped on Saturday, 13 June, continuing their final preparations at their Stellenbosch base camp before departing for Georgia on Monday, 22 June.
The agony of selection
Foote didn’t mince words when describing the selection process that whittled down his wider training squad to the final JWC group.
“It was the most difficult decision for me and the fellow coaches,” Foote admitted. “Any one of those not selected would have done a great job for us in Georgia. The quality of players and the calibre of young men we’ve had the privilege of working with during the past six months has been exceptional.”
The squad consists entirely of players who attended previous training camps in Stellenbosch and featured in South Africa’s triumphant U20 International Series and SANZAAR U20 Rugby Championship campaigns, both won convincingly by the Junior Boks.
Foote praised the provincial structures that developed his charges. “Our staff worked incredibly hard to get the young men ready, and credit must go to the players for their dedication and commitment. Their provincial teams must be commended for their support and preparation.”
The head coach reserved special words for those who missed out. “There were numerous positions where it was very tight, and where several players knocked really hard on the door. We all feel for those young men; they will be hurting. We will play to the best of our ability for our country and especially for them.”
The Georgian challenge
Pool A presents a balanced challenge, Wales, hosts Georgia, and Uruguay. The Junior Boks open their campaign against Uruguay at Avchala Stadium on Saturday, 27 June, before facing Georgia on 2 July and Wales on 7 July, all matches in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.
The ranking playoffs commence on 12-13 July, with further playoffs on 17 July before the third-place match and final on 18 July.
South Africa’s U20s have set the standard. Now they must maintain it on Georgian soil, carrying the weight of expectation that comes with defending champions—and the hunger to make history.
Junior Boks’ 2026 World Junior Championship 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 (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Jaythen Orange (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Riley Norton (captain, DHL Stormers), 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), Thomas Beling (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)*.
Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Jayden Brits (DHL Stormers).
Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
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)*, Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).
** Final inclusion pending the availability of players currently on senior duty.*
