@WoodysRFC The 2024 starting XV was better than 2025, and this year.
The 2017 U20s had Aumua, Jacobson (c), Papalii, Perofeta, Clarke, Ennor and Jordan. The majority of the other starters are former or current SR players.
@Bovidae said in TRC U20 2026:
@WoodysRFC The 2024 starting XV was better than 2025, and this year.
The 2017 U20s had Aumua, Jacobson (c), Papalii, Perofeta, Clarke, Ennor and Jordan. The majority of the other starters are former or current SR players.
Genuinely curious, how do you measure that?
I'm basing it on their quick progression to NPC and SR, with most now fully contracted SR players. Obviously that is no guarantee those players make the ABs but many are talked up on here.
@WoodysRFC said in TRC U20 2026:
Would be interested to see Mauss take on this year's U20 side, but it does seem pretty average.
Two games is probably a bit too early to make a definite call but let’s just say I’m not particularly optimistic they’ll be able to turn things around. I was rewatching the game against Argentina a few days ago and some of the decision-making, both on attack and in defence, was really naïve.
Again, they are able to show flashes of quality throughout the game but most of it is reactionary. The quality only seems to come through when the pressure’s really on, whether it’s due to playing with only 13 men or trying to find a score in the final minutes. A big part of why I liked the 2025 team was because they tended (not always, but tended) to be sensible in their decision-making: when to attack, when to play for territory, when to recycle through phases, when to kick, when to go wide. That control just isn’t there with this team.
As far as individual talent is concerned, I think there are certainly potential future Test players there (McLeod, Wiseman, Fale) but there’s a few too many ‘glue guy’-types in the team for mine. Putting Aio Keith and Drew Berg-McLean into this side would immediately add more of an edge, both on attack and at the breakdown. Xavier Leota would also add a genuine carrying option to a tight five that doesn’t currently offer a lot in that area.
The 2019 team seemed piss weak at the time, and finished 7th at the U20 WC that year. Apart from the 2011 U20s, I think this team has produced the most ABs, so you never know how players will mature and develop etc.
ABs from the 2019 U20s.
Vaii, Newell, Finau, Norris, Parker, Williams, Grace, Leroy Carter, Proctor, McLeod , Tupaea, Faingaanuku.
Flanders, Reihana, Burke and Nanai Seturo were also in that team.
I'll be intrigued to see if any additions are made to the WC squad. Last year there were a number of players unavailable for the RC U20 tournament through injury who were then selected for the WC. That isn't the situation this time, although we never saw a list of injured players.
Even though that's his position, Pahulu will need to tackle much better at centre than he did on the wing (almost non-existent).
South Africa U20: 15 Akahluwa Boqwana, 14 Jack Benade, 13 Samuel Badenhorst, 12 Ethan Adams , 11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Wasi Vyambwera, 6 Luke Canon, 5 Riley Norton (captain), 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Rambo Kubheka
Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 JD Hattingh, 20 Risima Khosa, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 Jade Muller
SA Rugby
"Despite New Zealand’s recent stumble against Argentina, Foote believes the rivalry with the Kiwis remains the ultimate challenge for any South African rugby player, and feels the stage is set for another classic encounter between the two traditional rivals in the Friendly City.
“For us in rugby, it doesn’t get better than South Africa versus New Zealand,” said Foote.
“They are our greatest rivals and the opportunity to play them in front of the Gqeberha crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a privilege for everyone involved with the Junior Boks.
“We have huge respect for the New Zealanders and, like us, they will be highly motivated to end the tournament on a high.”
A combined total of more than 20,000 supporters attended the opening two rounds at the NMB Stadium, prompting Foote to emphasise the impact of home support.
“There is a unique energy that comes with playing in the Eastern Cape,” he said.
“We’ve felt the passion from the Gqeberha crowd since we arrived here two weeks ago and having that passionate support behind us means a great deal to the team.”
Looking ahead to the final round, Foote stressed that the team’s focus extends beyond silverware: “Our objective on Saturday is about more than just the trophy – it’s about our growth and continuing the journey we’ve started with this group.
“These two teams have a history of producing memorable encounters when they meet, and it’s every South African rugby player’s dream to stand facing the haka and take on New Zealand.”
Foote added that he was pleased with the team’s preparation for the clash: “We’ve had a good week of preparation. The players are excited for this massive challenge, and the staff have done a tremendous job in keeping the group close-knit and in a very positive space.
“Gqeberha is a wonderful venue to host an international tournament such as the U20 Rugby Championship, and the people of the Eastern Cape have been outstanding hosts. We hope to repay that support with a quality performance against our greatest rivals on Saturday,” he added."
Foote selected the same team. Sadly we havent see u19 stars like Jordan Jooste, Kai Pratt, Markus Muller, Siyaya & Gert Kemp,
@jimmyb said in TRC U20 2026:
how did Mika go at 10?
A very mixed performance, in my view. I liked his pass selection: good variation in his option-taking and putting a few runners through the gap as a result. But his lack of a running game cost the team, I felt: Argentina was willing to push their defenders out wide, anticipating the NZ U20s going to the edge quickly, and this meant that there were opportunities for the NZ halfbacks to attack the spaces closer to the ruck.
But neither Sinton nor Muliaina were really able to aggressively target these areas. Snipes off 9 or switch plays to the blind from 10, with running options off either shoulder, could’ve been effective, I think, but those tactics never really came into play. I’m guessing that’s why Boston Krone was subbed on early in the 2nd half, to get that halfback running option, but I'm not sure Krone is that much of a running halfback either. So in my view Muliaina needs to be more aggressive in targeting those seams when teams are pushing out their defensive lines.
And the obvious point is probably that his kicking this tournament, both in general play and from the tee, hasn’t been good enough. Norrie took over the goalkicking in this game which isn’t a good sign in its own right. Muliaina seems to have trouble stacking up positive involvements right now: he’ll kick a great contestable one moment, and the next he’ll kick it out on the full. That’s pretty much been the story so far. It looks to have knocked his confidence somewhat.
@Mauss said in TRC U20 2026:
@jimmyb said in TRC U20 2026:
how did Mika go at 10?
A very mixed performance, in my view. I liked his pass selection: good variation in his option-taking and putting a few runners through the gap as a result. But his lack of a running game cost the team, I felt: Argentina was willing to push their defenders out wide, anticipating the NZ U20s going to the edge quickly, and this meant that there were opportunities for the NZ halfbacks to attack the spaces closer to the ruck.
But neither Sinton nor Muliaina were really able to aggressively target these areas. Snipes off 9 or switch plays to the blind from 10, with running options off either shoulder, could’ve been effective, I think, but those tactics never really came into play. I’m guessing that’s why Boston Krone was subbed on early in the 2nd half, to get that halfback running option, but I'm not sure Krone is that much of a running halfback either. So in my view Muliaina needs to be more aggressive in targeting those seams when teams are pushing out their defensive lines.
And the obvious point is probably that his kicking this tournament, both in general play and from the tee, hasn’t been good enough. Norrie took over the goalkicking in this game which isn’t a good sign in its own right. Muliaina seems to have trouble stacking up positive involvements right now: he’ll kick a great contestable one moment, and the next he’ll kick it out on the full. That’s pretty much been the story so far. It looks to have knocked his confidence somewhat.
Brilliant, thanks for such a great response
I must be an old relic out of touch with the game these days. I really can't fathom how that was an automatic red card.
Baby Blacks should have won it. They played with a lot of pride and passion. This again show Springboks vs All Blacks is th greatest rivalry. Good result for both going into the JWC.
@OomPB said in TRC U20 2026:
Baby Blacks should have won it. They played with a lot of pride and passion. This again show Springboks vs All Blacks is th greatest rivalry. Good result for both going into the JWC.
If only'd played with a competent kicker. 
Cracking performance from the Baby Blacks and one they can take a lot of heart from. The Junior Springboks are the bench mark in Under 20 Rugby these days. To draw with them is a support effort.
A much better performance than I was expecting, particularly the start.
Still big issues around the scrum, and I wonder if the locks are also part of the problem. Frost has some size to him but Fale doesn't. There are a few players that didn't do themselves any favours (re: WC selection). Goal kicking definitely needs to improve. Muliaina was poor throughout the tournament and the late missed penalty to win the game was a bad miss. Pahulu had his best game of the three, RC aside. I reckon that Guerin probably did get a hand on the ball but the camera angles/footage didn't help.
Lastly, a word about Ella Goldsmith. I thought she was very good as a ref again.
9 days later