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None of the three World Rugby U20 Championship winners included in the current Springbok training camp will play for the senior side this year.
Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed this after the inclusion of Bathobele Hlekani (loose forward), Cheswill Jooste (winger), and Haashim Pead (scrumhalf) at the cost of several experienced players raised eyebrows.
The trio joined 37 Test-capped players for the two-week training camp in Johannesburg ahead of South Africa’s Rugby Championship openers against Australia on 16 and 23 August.
The three players shone for South Africa during their U20 Championship win in Italy. However, Boks Lukhanyo Am, Faf de Klerk, Makazole Mapimpi, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos, Neethling Fouche and Vincent Tshituka were named as standby players for the squad, and missed the camp altogether as Erasmus cut his squad down to size.
Other Springboks also missed out, being sent back to their franchises to train there.
Experiencing the Bok environment
When asked about this decision, Erasmus reiterated his goal of building a player base at least three positions deep, while getting youth involved. He said they were looking at all “possibilities of players” ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
“We definitely don’t see those guys playing Test matches this year,” he explained. “But getting them used to the environment here and wherever they go, their franchises or clubs, if still U20 as one will still be next season.
“It’s for us to understand, like we did for Ntokozo [Makhaza], how quickly guys can make the step-up and settle into the whole environment, the energy they bring. The three of them know 100% well that there is no chance, apart from if they really knock down the door and blow us away in training sessions.”
Springbok coaches aren’t using kid gloves
On that note, Erasmus said he and his assistant coaches were not going easy on the youngsters. The trio have been included in all field and study room sessions, getting the full Springbok training experience.
“It’s not like we keep them out of certain things, for them to just sit and listen and learn. It’s for them to take part and to make sure the older guys know this is who is coming through.
“So yes, they are fitting in well and I think they are enjoying it and they are keeping up. They are really keeping up with the other guys, so that is great.”
Issued on The Citizen (South Africa) by Nicholas Zaal | https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/u20-stars-wont-play-for-springboks-this-year/
