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They first have to find a Baby Boks coachOomPB wrote:Post it, will be interesting to see how much Louis Koen coach them to kick.Jensrsa wrote:That's not the practice squad. They did fitness and conditioning tests on that group a week or so ago and will select 46, I think, for the practice squad
SA Rugby Acting High Performance manager Louis Koen said the objectives were achieved at the two Junior Springbok assessment camps this week, but that a lot of hard work lies ahead to prepare for the World Rugby U20 Championship.
A total of 86 players were invited to the camps, which were hosted at the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) in Pretoria and Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS), and all the players – with the exception of those preparing for Vodacom Super Rugby and Zain Davids, who is in Wellington with the Springbok Sevens squad – attended the camps.
“We reached the outcomes we had hoped to achieve at the camps,” said Koen.
“In terms of conditioning we have work to do, especially with the younger players. But some of the players who have been training with their Vodacom Super Rugby teams and those who participated in the SA Rugby U19 Championship last season were at a good level.
“The main focus for us was to establish a baseline, and now that we have it we can work from here and plan accordingly. Dr Warren Adams (Springbok conditioning coach) and his team will now communicate with the players and their provincial unions, so that we can make sure they are at the expected levels when the squad is selected and assembles in camp.”
A Junior Springbok training squad of 45 players will be selected at the end of February, and will have their first training camp from 5 to 17 March in Cape Town.
This will be followed by a local tour, from 26 March to 9 April, where they will play warm-up matches against teams from the Down Touch Griffons, Griquas and Toyota Free State Cheetahs, and a training camp in Cape Town, from 18 April to 12 May.
The team will conclude their preparations for the World Rugby U20 Championship with a four-day holding camp in May before they depart for the international spectacle on 25 May.
“We plan to visit the unions so that we can get to the players to follow up on what they did at these camps,” said Koen.
“With the assessment camps concluded, we believe our preparations will go smoothly as our planning leading up to the tournament is completed.
“I think we managed to get a great group of players together. They have immense potential and talent and I am very positive about this group. Once the coaching staff are appointed, we will ensure that they are happy and ready to go.”
The SA Under-20s will face France, hosts Georgia and Argentina in the pool stages of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 31 May, 4 June and 8 June respectively.
Junior Springbok training squad announced
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News CurwinBoschCurwin Bosch, Zain Davids and Salmaan Moerat all feature in a 50-man Junior Springbok training squad named by SA Rugby on Tuesday as the preparations begin to take shape for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia from 31 May to 18 June.
Bosch and Davids are among nine players who participated in the tournament in Manchester last year, where the Junior Springboks finished in fourth place, while Moerat is one of six SA Schools team players from 2016 in the training squad.
Stedman Gans, Manie Libbok, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Embrose Papier, Cobus Wiese, Ruben de Villiers, Ernst van Rhyn and Carlű Sadie played for the Junior Boks with Bosch and Davids in 2016.
Moerat, who captained the SA Schools side last year, will be joined by his 2016 team-mates Gianni Lombard, Manuel Rass, Wandisile Simelane, Damian Willemse and Muller Uys.
A total of 86 players were invited to two assessment camps last month in Pretoria and Stellenbosch, where the players participated in a series of speed and strength tests and underwent medical screening. The first training camp will be in Stellenbosch from 5 to 17 March, whereafter the squad will be trimmed down to 28 players in April for the international showpiece, which kicks off in May.
“This is a talented group of players, and we can’t wait to start the real hard work in the lead-up to the World Rugby U20 Championship,” said Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux.
“The players who were selected really worked hard, which is very pleasing. They were aware of the fitness and strength standards required at this level of the game at the conclusion of the assessment camps, and we are proud of the work they put in to achieve that.
“But that was only the first step in what will be a mentally and physically challenging journey to possibly secure a place in the final 28-man squad.
“Over the next two months we will be working hard to put our structures and systems in place and to reach the desired fitness and strength requirements we would like to achieve as a team.
“We have exactly three months to get the team ready before their opening match, which is not much time, especially if one considers that the U20 Six Nations teams are at an advanced stage of their season. But that said, we are excited about the challenge ahead and we believe the players will be up for it.”
This camp will be followed by a tour to the central unions from 26 March to 9 April, which will feature warm-up matches against the Down Touch Griffons in Welkom on Friday, 31 March, Griquas in Kimberley on Wednesday, 5 April and Toyota Free State Cheetahs on Saturday, 8 April.
The Junior Springboks will play another two further warm-up matches, against the Varsity Cup Dream Team on Tuesday, 25 April, and DHL Western Province on Tuesday, 9 May, in Stellenbosch during their third training camp, which runs from 18 April to 12 May. They will conclude their preparations for the tournament with a holding camp in Stellenbosch from 21 to 25 May.
Junior Springbok training squad:
Props: Kwenzo Blose (Toyota Free State Cheetahs), Wikus Groenewald (DHL Western Province), Leo Kruger (Xerox Golden Lions), Andrew Kuhn (Toyota Free State Cheetahs), Lee-Marvin Mazibuko (DHL Western Province), Khutu Mchunu (Cell C Sharks), Mashao Mukhari (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Carlu Sadie (DHL Western Province), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Abram Venter (Toyota Free State Cheetahs).
Hookers: Abraham Coetzee (Toyota Free State Cheetahs), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Toyota Free State Cheetahs), HP van Schoor (Xerox Golden Lions).
Locks: Ruben de Villers (DHL Western Province), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Western Province), Reinhard Nothnagel (Xerox Golden Lions), Hendre Stassen (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Ruben van Heerden (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Cobus Wiese (DHL Western Province).
Loose forwards: Juarno Augustus (DHL Western Province), Jaco Bezuidenhout (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Hacjivah Dayimani (Xerox Golden Lions), Zain Davids (DHL Western Province), Eduan Lubbe (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Len Massyn (Xerox Golden Lions), Kuyenzeka Xaba (DHL Western Province), Muller Uys (DHL Western Province), Ernst van Rhyn (DHL Western Province).
Scrumhalves: Francois de Villiers (Cell C Sharks), Embrose Papier (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Bradley Thain (Xerox Golden Lions), Wayne van der Bank (Xerox Golden Lions), Jondre Williams (DHL Western Province).
Flyhalves: Curwin Bosch (Cell C Sharks), Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Cell C Sharks), Manie Libbok (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Damian Willemse (DHL Western Province).
Centres: Irvin Ali (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Heino Bezuidenhout (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Stedman Gans (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Manuel Rass (Xerox Golden Lions), Wandisile Simelane (Xerox Golden Lions), Cornel Smit (DHL Western Province).
Wingers: Ciaran Dayaram (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Ilunga Mukendi (Cell C Sharks), Mfundo Ndhlovu (Cell C Sharks), Michael Tambwe (Xerox Golden Lions).
Fullbacks: Gianni Lombard (Xerox Golden Lions), Yaw Penxe (EP Kings).
Willemse relishing Junior Bok opportunity
PUBLISHED: Yesterday
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Talented DHL Stormers and SA Schools flyhalf Damian Willemse is relishing the opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the Junior Springbok team to travel to the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia in May, and vowed that he will do his best to be selected for the 28-man touring squad.
Willemse, who represented the SA Schools team in 2015 and 2016, was named in Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux’s training squad in February, and trained with the group before being called up to the DHL Stormers, where he made his Vodacom Super Rugby debut against the Southern Kings last month.
However, he returned to the SA U20 camp on Sunday in Bloemfontein and wasted no time getting back into the thick of things as he works toward achieving his second big milestone for the year.
“It was a fantastic experience and dream come true to earn my first cap for the DHL Stormers and to play Vodacom Super Rugby,” said Willemse.
“I learned a lot in the few minutes on the field, and it was great to play alongside some of the best players in the country and to feature in one of the toughest competitions in the world.
“That experience will certainly benefit me in the Junior Springbok training squad, and hopefully it will assist me in achieving my goal of representing the team at the World Rugby U20 Championship.”
The 19-year old has progressed through the junior ranks in SA Rugby over the last few years having advanced from the Coca-Cola U16 Grant Khomo Week to the Coca-Cola U18 Craven Week before being selected for the SA Schools team. And with the SA U20 team marking the highest honour of the game at junior level, Willemse hopes to continue his rise through the structures this year.
“It is an honour and privilege to be in the Junior Bok training squad, and it is certainly one of the highlights of my career so far along with making my Vodacom Super Rugby debut,” said Willemse.
“It is very important to me to be part of the training squad because participating in the U20 Championship is something I have always wanted to achieve. This is a big test for all the players, and we are determined to do everything we can to be selected for the touring squad and to have a shot at possibly winning the competition.”
The former Paul Roos Gymnasium pupil, who was named the Coca-Cola Craven Week Player of the Year in 2016, has fond memories of watching rugby with his parents as a young boy and says the sport has been a key element of his life since he was born.
“I grew up with rugby around me because I come from the Strand where rugby is very popular, and my family loves rugby,” said the talented flyhalf.
“I started playing rugby in Grade 1, but my first memories of the game were watching rugby in the community and provincial games with my parents.
“I started taking rugby seriously in Grade 10 when I was selected for the Western Province Coca-Cola U16 Grant Khomo Week team, and it was then and there that I decided I wanted to become a professional rugby player.
“I played cricket too, and I had to choose which of the sports to focus on, but since I had a passion for rugby from a young age, it was an easy decision.”
Willemse was excited about the opportunity to work with the Junior Springbok coaching team of Roux, Mzwandile Stick and Louis Koen, and said: “It is fantastic to work with the coaches – all three of them are great coaches in their own right, and I am learning a lot from them.”
The Junior Springboks will play two warm-up matches this week before their training camp in Bloemfontein concludes on Sunday, with the team facing the Tafel Lager Griquas at Griqua Park in Kimberley at 18h00 on Wednesday, and the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at 15h00 at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
It seems he can play anywhere from 10 to 15. Most recently he played last year for the Blue Bulls as a fullback.Isn't Manie Libbok a flyhalf?
Bosch is a few years older and only playing now 10. Willemse is a total different type of 10. He may end up in the midfield. They is another one coming, Josua Vermeulen.Masterji wrote:Who is better Willemse or Bosch? Knowing the saffer mentality the better defender will go furthest.
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/detail ... in-sa-u20sSuper Rugby players Curwin Bosch, Cobus Wiese, Madosh Tambwe and Yaw Penxe are set to join the Junior Springboks' training squad on 7 May.
In addition, Blitzboks players Zain Davids and Stedman Gans were included in a 35-man squad that will assemble in Stellenbosch on Tuesday for the team’s third training camp, which concludes on 18 May.
The Junior Springboks will face a Varsity Cup Dream Team on 25 April in their fourth warm-up match, while another game against a local outfit is being planned for 9 May.
The Super Rugby players have been granted special dispensation to join up with the squad towards the end of this third and final camp, while Khuta Mchunu and Ernst van Rhyn will fall in with the squad as soon as they have recovered from injuries.
The defence in this game was non-existant.Jensrsa wrote:Baby Boks 50-19 VC Dream Team
Junior Springboks 50 (21) – Tries: Ruben van Heerden (2), Salmaan Moerat, Muller Uys, Damian Willemse, Nama Xaba, Manie Libbok. Conversions: Gianni Lombard (6). Penalty Goal: Lombard.
Varsity Cup Dream Team 19 (19) – Tries: Duncan Saal, Craig Barry, Loftus Morrison. Conversions: Tinus de Beer (2).
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/roux-pra ... r-20170425
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/detail ... Boks-squadThe Lions' Zaire-born wing Madosh Tambwe is the notable omission. He was unable to obtain a South African passport in time and was therefore ineligible for selection.
A Congolese living and working in Johannesburg can't arrange a South African passport?Jensrsa wrote:http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/detail ... Boks-squadThe Lions' Zaire-born wing Madosh Tambwe is the notable omission. He was unable to obtain a South African passport in time and was therefore ineligible for selection.
He's on SARU's payroll. They had to give him something to dohandyman wrote:Chean Roux : is he the best coach for these guys?
He's a good coach imo. Good Varsity Cup record, and the style of play was also pleasing. Never got into the "system" which happens far too often, then worked under Meyer as an analyst, then suddenly given the task of being Springbok defence coach. That's not his forte so he was learning defensive specialisation at the highest level. Designed to fail.Jensrsa wrote:He's on SARU's payroll. They had to give him something to dohandyman wrote:Chean Roux : is he the best coach for these guys?
Has he done all the necessary coaching courses? Agreed with your post by the way.Slider wrote:He's a good coach imo. Good Varsity Cup record, and the style of play was also pleasing. Never got into the "system" which happens far too often, then worked under Meyer as an analyst, then suddenly given the task of being Springbok defence coach. That's not his forte so he was learning defensive specialisation at the highest level. Designed to fail.Jensrsa wrote:He's on SARU's payroll. They had to give him something to dohandyman wrote:Chean Roux : is he the best coach for these guys?
U20 is a good path for him, and a chance for us all to see if he has more potential. He's still only about 42 years old.
Knowing SARU, he'll do the job for two years, get canned, and then coach a Japanese club to the title before taking over at Montpellier for a million euros per season.
The Lions had close losses to the Bulls, WP and FS at the start of the season, then beat them in the return matches as well as the Bulls in the semi and WP in the Final. Makes no sense for the Bulls and WP to have 18 players in the squad and the Lions 5beachboy wrote:Difficult to rate selections just based on a final. Both the Bulls under 19 and WP under 19 won more games than the Lions during the season. The Lions finished 3rd on the log. I do however feel the Lions should have had one or two more players selected.
The only stats that matter.houtkabouter wrote:Somebody mind providing some stats so Sardy can decide who is good?