Junior Springboks Reveal 2025 Squad for U20 World Championship in Italy

Young, Hungry, and Ready: Junior Springboks name squad for U20 World Championship

The countdown to Italy is officially on. With just weeks to go before the  2025 World Rugby Under 20 Championship the Junior Springboks have revealed a dynamic 30-man squad bursting with promise, power, and potential.

Head coach Kevin Foote has backed a strong mix of youth and experience, with lock Riley Norton once again trusted to lead the charge in green and gold. And while names like Bathobele Hlekani and Haashim Pead return for another shot at U20 glory, several fresh faces are earning their first shot at the big stage.

Captain Norton to Lead a New Wave

Norton, the DHL Western Province lock and standout academy graduate, will captain the Junior Boks  in Italy, bringing calm leadership and big-match temperament to the team’s engine room.

“It was incredibly hard narrowing the squad down,” said Foote. “But we’ve picked a group that can proudly represent the country, on and off the field.”

Here’s who made the final 30-man Junior Springbok squad:

Props:

• Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls )

• Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka  (Hollywood Bets Sharks )

• Herman Lubbe (DHL Western Province)

• Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

• Oliver Reid (DHL Western Province)

Hookers:

• Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls)

• Jaundré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls)

Locks:

• Jaco Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls)

• Riley Norton (DHL Western Province – Captain)

• JJ Theron (Vodacom Bulls)

• Morne Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions)

Loose Forwards:

• Thando Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions)

• Bathobele Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

• Wandile Mlaba (DHL Western Province)

• Xola Nyali (DHL Western Province)

• Matt Romao (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

• Stephanus Linde (Toyota Cheetahs)

Scrumhalves:

• Ceano Everson (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

• Haashim Pead (Fidelity ADT Lions)

• Erich Visser (Toyota Cheetahs)

Flyhalves:

• Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

• Ian van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls)

Centres:

• Albie Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

• Gino Cupido (DHL Western Province)

• Demitre Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls)

• Dominic Malgas (DHL Western Province)

Outside Backs:

• Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls)

• Gilermo Mentoe (Fidelity ADT Lions)

• Siya Ndlozi (DHL Western Province)

• Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

Building Depth, One Generation at a Time

Six of the squad members are still under 19 — a sign that the pipeline of talent is running strong. That includes Norton, Kubheka, Moyo, Reid, Mnebelele, and Jooste.

“Many of these guys have been training together since November in Stellenbosch,” said Foote. “The schools and provincial unions also deserve massive credit — they’ve laid the foundation.”

The team will continue training in Stellenbosch before flying out to Italy on 24 June.

Who Will They Face?

South Africa has drawn a tough but exciting Pool A, with their opening clash set for 29 June against Australia in Calvisano. The next fixture comes on 4 July against England in Rovigo, followed by Scotland on 9 July back in Calvisano.

Knockout rounds are on 14 July, with the final scheduled for 19 July.

Reaction From Fans and Rugby Circles

Fans were quick to flood social media with support, praising the blend of grit and flair. One user wrote: “Love seeing names like Hlekani and Grobbelaar back in the mix. That’s the kind of muscle we need up front!”

Another said: “Big ups to Rambo Kubheka — the guy’s a beast. Can’t wait to see him scrumming it out on the global stage.”

This Junior Springbok squad isn’t just going to Italy to make up numbers — they’re going to compete. And with a blend of URC stars with experience players and rising stars, there’s every reason to believe they’ll make South Africans proud.

Bring on Italy. Bring on the world!

{Source:Sabc Sport}

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