Junior Springbok squad for the U20 Rugby Championship:
Props: Oliver Reid (Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Sharks), Jordan Jooste (Stormers), Danie Kruger (Stormers), Kai Pratt (Sharks).
Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Sharks).
Locks: Heinrich Theron (Bulls), Riley Norton (captain, Stormers), JD Hattingh (Lions), Jaythen Orange (Lions).
Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (VBulls), Risima Khosa (Lions), Luke Canon (Lions), Thomas Beling (Bulls), Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks), Gert Kemp (Stormers).
Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (), Jayden Brits (Stormers).
Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Sharks).
Centres: Ethan Adams (Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (Stormers), Markus Muller (Stormers), Olunje Mehlomakulu (Stormers).
Outside backs: Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), Lindsey Jansen (Bulls), Jack Benade (Stormers), Jade Muller (Cheetahs), Akahluwa Boqwana (Bulls), Alzeadon Felix (Sharks), Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks).
The warmup game against the Hunters was cancelled. I don't know if that was weather-related but the limited preparation couldn't be any worse.
@Bovidae said in TRC U20 2026:
The warmup game against the Hunters was cancelled. I don't know if that was weather-related but the limited preparation couldn't be any worse.
I'd suggest weather related. The Hutt took a hiding overnight Friday/Saturday morning.
@SouthernMann said in TRC U20 2026:
@Bovidae said in TRC U20 2026:
The warmup game against the Hunters was cancelled. I don't know if that was weather-related but the limited preparation couldn't be any worse.
I'd suggest weather related. The Hutt took a hiding overnight Friday/Saturday morning.
Although some of the Hunters players then played for their club.
Junior Springboks: 15 Alzeadon Felix, 14 Jack Benade, 13 Samuel Badenhorst, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Lindsey Jansen, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Thomas Beling, 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 Kai Pratt, 19 JD Hattingh, 20 Risima Khosa, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga.
Date: Monday, April 27
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 16.10 (11.10 ART; 14.10 GMT)
Referee: Gonzalo De Achaval
Assistant referees: Sean Muller, Lulutho Matomela
TMO: Egon Seconds
@Bovidae said in TRC U20 2026:
Aust team to play NZ:
Junior Wallabies are missing quite a few key players: Uys and Grenfell in the frontrow, Lemoto in the backrow, Pritchard in the midfield, Conway and Wallace Charlie in the back 3. You'd also say that players like Talaileva and Brial are more natural No. 8s than Eli Langi, who is a very typical flanker.
Still, there is a lot of talent in the side. Grover and Mackay are a very good halfback pairing. Grover reminds me of Dylan Pledger, a very good game manager and decision-maker. The two locks - Ross and Fonua - are both young (U19, I believe) but also really promising players: both have a nice combination of work rate and attacking ability.
Looking at the Australian and NZ teams named, I'd say the Junior Wallabies are still (relatively comfortable) favourites. There's good players in the NZ U20 team but I remain unconvinced about the tight 5 (very workmanlike but that's about it) and the backline combinations (I'm yet to see the 'midfielders on the wing'-experiment work).
Kai Pratt is from my neighbour town Stilbaai. His dad is a well known surfer instructor. Kai will probably surf in PE in between practises. SA team spare him and Oliver Reid for the Kiwis and Aussies
@Mauss said in TRC U20 2026:
Junior Wallabies are missing quite a few key players:
A long list:
Unavailable for selection
Dylan Bretton - (Brumbies, injury)
Oscar Cleary - (Brumbies, injury)
Felix Cooper - (Force, injury)
Manaia Te Tana (Force, injury)
Bennett Armistead (Reds, injury)
John Grenfell - (Reds, injury)
Kingsley Uys - (Reds, injury)
Nicholas Conway - (Reds, injury)
Treyvon Pritchard - (Reds, SRP commitments)
Dylan Simmons (Waratahs, injury)
Ed Kasprowicz (Waratahs, injury)
Tom Farr-Jones (Waratahs, injury)
Wallace Charlie (AU Sevens)
Looking at the Australian and NZ teams named, I'd say the Junior Wallabies are still (relatively comfortable) favourites. There's good players in the NZ U20 team but I remain unconvinced about the tight 5 (very workmanlike but that's about it) and the backline combinations (I'm yet to see the 'midfielders on the wing'-experiment work).
I mentioned previously that the Wiseman-Lewai combo looked very good in the Chiefs trial, but they didn't play against the Blues U20s. Yeah, like the NZ Schools teams the coaches stack the backline with midfield backs on the wing. Pahulu and Guerin will still be eligible for at least 2027 so could both be two years in the NZS and U20s.
I haven't seen any mention on who the extra player in the squad is.
@Mamuka said in TRC U20 2026:
Hello, does anyone have a link to watch the match live?
It's on Stan Sport in Aus
This is up there with the worst NZ U20 side i've ever seen. They are small, weak and poorly disciplined in defence.
@Tanifulla said in TRC U20 2026:
The aus first five just stopped a maul. What is going on?
This is men against boys is what is going on.
@Fale009 said in TRC U20 2026:
NZ blindside has been the pick of the NZ forwards for me.
Agreed. Has a bit of presence.
NZ take advantage of a charge down and breakout for a length of the field try
Sinton at 9 is impressive.
29 all
Mulaina isn't much of a kicker
Well done Logan Williams to make most of the luck and breakout to score a try
34-29 NZ