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Junior Boks reshuffle as Australia challenge looms

Adnaan MohamedNews, Preview, RugbyLeave a Comment on Junior Boks reshuffle as Australia challenge looms
By Adnaan Mohamed

Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote has made measured changes to his match-23 for Sunday’s U20 Rugby Championship clash against Australia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Kick-off is at 16h10, with New Zealand facing Argentina earlier at 14h00.

The South Africans were convincing in their opening win over Argentina and Foote has largely kept faith with that combination, making a single change to the starting pack. Wasi Vyambwera comes in at blindside flank, adding fresh energy to a forward unit that laid a strong platform in the tournament opener.

The backline sees two adjustments, with Khuthadzo Rasivhaga starting on the left wing and Akahluwa Boqwana selected at fullback. Both players will be expected to add attacking edge against an Australian side known for its skill and tempo.

On the bench, Luan van der Berg replaces the injured Kai Pratt, while Gert Kemp and Jade Muller come into the matchday squad to provide loose forward and backline cover.

Foote said the team had taken valuable lessons from their opening performance.

“We had a really good review of our performance against Argentina and, while we are very pleased with the result and the way the players performed on defence and attack for long periods of the match, there are obviously aspects of our game that need improvement,” he said.

The coach stressed the need for consistency across the full match.

“Our focus is playing the full 80 minutes and ensuring that we stay on our game model to meet what will be a huge challenge against an Australian side that is well coached and who boasts strong skill sets across the park.”

The Junior Boks will again run out in front of a passionate Eastern Cape crowd after a strong turnout in the opening round.

“The support we received against Argentina last week was absolutely fantastic, and we are excited to be playing in front of the passionate Eastern Cape rugby fans once again,” Foote said.

South Africa will look to build on their early momentum, with execution and discipline expected to be key against a well-organised Australian outfit.

Junior Springboks:
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 Gert Kemp, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 Jade Muller

Photo Credits: x.com/SAJuniorRugby

‘The Chef’ Yaqeen Ahmed set to cook as Junior Boks brace for Argentina test

Adnaan MohamedNewsLeave a Comment on ‘The Chef’ Yaqeen Ahmed set to cook as Junior Boks brace for Argentina test
By Adnaan Mohamed

The Junior Springboks will look to light the first fire of their Under-20 Rugby Championship campaign when they face Argentina in Gqeberha on Monday, with flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed expected to play a central role in shaping South Africa’s attacking edge.

Ahmed, known to many as “The Chef”, has earned a reputation for stirring defences with a blend of vision, timing and composure. The former Wynberg Boys’ High playmaker, now aligned with the Stormers, steps into the No 10 jersey with the responsibility of directing traffic against a Los Pumitas side known for its physical edge and structured set piece.

Kick-off at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is scheduled for 16h10, with the match broadcast live on SuperSport.

Captain Riley Norton leads a side that combines continuity with emerging talent. Norton, who skippered the Junior Boks to World Championship success in Italy last year, anchors the pack alongside lock partner Heinrich Theron, while the front row of Rambo Kubheka, Liam van Wyk and Danie Kruger is tasked with providing a stable platform.

In the backline, Ahmed will link with scrumhalf Hendré Schoeman in a pairing that balances tempo with control. Out wide, Jack Benade is rewarded for his Varsity Cup form, joining Lindsey Jansen on the wings, while Ethan Adams and Samuel Badenhorst combine in midfield.

At fullback, Alzeadon Felix completes a back three that offers both counter-attacking threat and defensive cover.

Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote expects a demanding contest against Argentina, who have consistently tested South Africa at this level.

“They are known for their physicality and their solid set piece, so we know we will have to steady ourselves for a very tough contest,” said Foote.

“Our recent contests have been very close – they played exceptionally well against us in this tournament last year, and we had to dig very deep to overcome them in the semi-final of the World Championship last year in Italy.”

The breakdown is likely to be a key battleground, with loose forwards Luke Canon, Kebotile Maake and Thomas Beling carrying the responsibility of slowing Argentina’s momentum while securing quality possession.

Foote indicated that the tempo of the match could be high, in line with the approach favoured by southern hemisphere teams.

“Argentina, like the other southern hemisphere sides, prefer a high-tempo game with plenty of ball in play,” he said.

“They are a battle-hardened, tenacious outfit, and we will have to work extremely hard throughout the contest if we want to impose ourselves.

“Our DNA is our physicality, and we are looking forward to playing an exciting brand of rugby.”

South Africa will be without a handful of players due to injury and senior commitments, though the squad retains depth. Vusi Moyo returns from injury and is expected to provide cover at flyhalf from the bench, while Oliver Reid adds experience in the front row.

Earlier on Monday, Australia and New Zealand will open the tournament, which features the leading Under-20 sides from the southern hemisphere.

For the Junior Boks, the focus will be on execution and control. If the forwards establish a foothold, Ahmed’s ability to read space and manage territory could prove decisive in setting the tone for the campaign.

Junior Springboks team vs Argentina U20

Starting XV
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 (c), 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

SA rugby prospect Pead secures major deal

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Haashim Pead’s career is gathering momentum like a rolling maul surging towards the try line, and his latest move confirms his place among South Africa’s brightest rugby prospects. The 20-year-old scrumhalf has signed with Roc Nation Sports International, aligning himself with a global agency that represents leading Springboks including Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Aphelele Fassi and Jordan Hendrikse.

For a player shaped in the streets of the Bo-Kaap and polished at Bishops, this moment feels like a clean break from the base of the scrum, quick, decisive and loaded with intent. Pead’s rise over the past two seasons has been as sharp as a well-timed box kick, climbing from promising junior to one of the most talked-about young playmakers in the game.

His breakout came on the world stage at the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, where he didn’t only steer the Junior Springboks with precision, he rewrote the script for what a scrumhalf can deliver at that level. Named Junior Springbok Player of the Year, Pead shattered records previously held by France star Antoine Dupont, underlining his influence with a blend of tempo, vision and nerve.

Generational Talent; Haashim Pead

Those performances opened the door to the senior Springbok environment, where he has already spent time absorbing the rhythm and demands of Test rugby. Back on home soil, he has slotted seamlessly into senior competition, becoming a key figure for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship. His service is crisp, his decision-making measured, and his tactical kicking often lands like a pinpoint cross-field strike.

Roc Nation Sports International’s Head of Rugby Recruiting in South Africa, Tamsanqa Ncwana, believes Pead’s ceiling is far from reached.

“Haashim is a generational talent whose work ethic and technical ceiling are truly exceptional,” Ncwana said.

The move places Pead in a stable that has helped shape some of the most influential figures in South African rugby, a pathway that now stretches invitingly ahead of him. With another Springbok alignment camp already under his belt this year, whispers of a Test debut are growing louder, like a crowd rising in anticipation before a decisive play.

For Pead, the decision to join Roc Nation was as instinctive as spotting a gap in a fractured defensive line.

“Joining the Roc Nation Sports International family is an exciting moment for me. Watching the impact they have had on the careers and lives of players I look up to, made this an easy decision,” he said.

“I’m proud of my roots in the Bo-Kaap, and as I take the next steps in my career, I’m excited to have a world-class team behind me as I look to achieve my goals both on and off the field.”

Roc Nation Sports International president Michael Yormark highlighted the broader impact Pead could have beyond the pitch.

“At Roc Nation Sports International, we look for athletes who not only excel on the pitch but also possess the character to inspire the next generation. Haashim’s journey as a professional rugby player is a story that will resonate throughout South Africa and we look forward to supporting him to reach his full potential.”

As Pead’s career continues to accelerate, this latest signing feels less like a milestone and more like the start of a new attacking phase, one where the pass has been set and the space ahead is waiting to be exploited.

‘The Chef’ to steer Junior Boks in Georgia as Foote names balanced U20 squad

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on ‘The Chef’ to steer Junior Boks in Georgia as Foote names balanced U20 squad
By Adnaan Mohamed

Talented 19-year-old flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed will headline an exciting 31-man Junior Springbok squad for a three-match tour of Georgia later this month, as coach Kevin Foote begins laying the foundation for South Africa’s 2026 U20 campaign.

Ahmed, a former Wynberg Boys’ High standout known as “The Chef”, has already been contracted by the Stormers after catching the eye while still at school. Now he is set to cook up a storm for the Junior Boks in Tbilisi, where two of the three fixtures will be internationals against Georgia U20.

The squad departs on Sunday, 15 February, and returns on 28 February.

Foote’s selection blends continuity with fresh talent. Four members of last year’s World Rugby U20 Championship-winning side return: loosehead props Ollie Reid and Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele, and lock Riley Norton, who captained the Junior Boks to the title in Italy.

The touring group was finalised after a three-week training camp in Stellenbosch, which included high-tempo matches against FNB Varsity Cup sides Maties and UCT.

“We have had a very productive period in Stellenbosch, and I believe the matches against UCT and Maties gave us a clear indication of where we are in terms of technical and tactical preparation,” said Foote.

The tour also forms part of South Africa’s build-up to defending their world crown in June and July, also in Georgia.

“Georgia is a challenging place to play, especially with the sub-zero temperatures expected, but this is exactly the kind of test we need to build resilience,” Foote said.

“We are looking for growth in our set-piece dominance and cohesion as we begin our 2026 campaign.

“They are a well-coached team with a lot of experience returning from last year’s international season. We expect very physical encounters, which is exactly what we need for our preparations.”

Foote added that the broader vision includes building depth for future campaigns.

“We are also building for 2027 by giving new players the opportunity to experience international rugby. This tour is a vital step in that regard.”

Several players eligible for the 2027 cycle have been included, among them Gert Kemp, Ethan Adams, Markus Muller, Zekhethelo Siyaya and Luan Giliomee, who recently represented the Blitzboks and helped the Springbok Sevens win the HSBC SVNS Perth title.

Injury concerns ruled out Vuyo Gwiji (loose forward), Pieter van der Merwe (centre) and Alzeadon Felix (fullback), while flyhalf Vusi Moyo continues his rehabilitation. All are targeting a return for the U20 Rugby Championship in April and May.

Speedy wing Cheswill Jooste is currently on Vodacom United Rugby Championship duty with the Bulls and is expected to link up with the squad later in the season.

Foote admitted that narrowing down the group was not easy.

“The full training group made it very hard to decide on a 31-man travelling party. Players such as AJ Meyer (lock) and Reinhardt Viljoen (fullback) put their hands up for consideration and remain firmly in the mix for future camps leading into the Rugby Championship,” he said.

With Norton providing leadership up front and Ahmed poised to guide proceedings at flyhalf, the Junior Boks will look to use the Georgian tour as a critical stepping stone towards another shot at global success.

Junior Springbok squad for Georgia tour:

Props: Oliver Reid (DHL Western Province), Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kai Pratt (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Toyota Cheetahs), Danie Kruger (DHL Western Province).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Mahle Sithole (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), James Schnetler (Fidelity ADT Lions), Riley Norton (captain, DHL Western Province), JD Hattingh (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Vodacom Bulls), Risima Khosa (Fidelity ADT Lions), Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luke Canon (Fidelity ADT Lions), Gert Kemp (DHL WP), Reuben Kruger (DHL Western Province).

Scrumhalves: Matthew Fick (Vodacom Bulls), Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls).

Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Western Province), Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Centres: Markus Muller (DHL Western Province), Ethan Adams (Fidelity ADT Lions), Christian Vorster (Vodacom Bulls), Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Western Province).

Outside backs: Dylan Miller (DHL Western Province), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Western Province), Lindsey Jansen (Vodacom Bulls).

Fixtures (Tbilisi):
18 February – SA U20 vs Lelo Saracens
22 February – SA U20 vs Georgia U20
27 February – SA U20 vs Georgia U20