Captain Siphosethu Mnebelele and flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed have spoken of a tight-knit, focused group ahead of Saturday evening's Junior World Championship final against France U20 in Tbilisi, with kick-off at 18h30 SA time on SuperSport.
The Junior Boks enter the final as defending champions, having beaten New Zealand in Italy last year, and Mnebelele — playing in his second JWC — says the squad's preparation has been thorough and their attention undivided. "We are well prepared for the final match, and we are all excited to represent South Africa in the final," the hooker said. "Our focus is only on the game and nothing else. We are ready to take on a very good French side who have demonstrated their abilities by reaching the final."
Ahmed credited the coaching and medical staff for creating an environment that has underpinned the team's run to the decider. "They make it a really good environment for us, and all the boys are so focused and disciplined in their preparation and recovery," he said.
For Ahmed, the squad's defining quality is its collective commitment — including from those not in the matchday team. "Those who are not in the team help the coaches prepare the guys who are playing. We motivate and push each other, and we keep learning and improving with each session."
The Junior Boks will wear black armbands on Saturday in memory of former SA U18 prop Luqobo Makwedini, who died on 10 July following a training session with his French club AS Béziers Hérault.