Siphosethu Mnebelele has been confirmed as Junior Bok captain for the U20 World Championship in Georgia, with SA opening their title defence against Uruguay on Saturday.
The hooker was appointed to the role shortly before the squad departed for Georgia, after Riley Norton and Vusi Moyo were called into the Springbok squad for the Nations Championship. Mnebelele started for SA A in their 40–0 win over Zimbabwe in Gqeberha last Saturday before travelling with the junior squad.
The squad arrived in Tbilisi on Tuesday following a long-haul journey via Istanbul from Cape Town, moving straight into a gym cycling session to manage travel fatigue.
Mnebelele credited both Norton and Moyo for the standards they set within the Junior Bok environment. "The way they carried themselves over the past two years has been a real motivating factor for me," he said. "It is such an honour to be selected as captain of this talented group of players."
Coach Kevin Foote made the captaincy announcement just before a training session, with Mnebelele noting the squad's reaction as an immediate confidence boost. "I'm ready to take these guys to war," he said.
SA toured Georgia earlier this year and won both matches against the hosts. Pool A also includes Wales, with the fixtures running through to July 7.
Foote praised the players who featured against Zimbabwe and extended well-wishes to Norton and Moyo. "It is every young player's dream to represent the Springboks, and they thoroughly deserve their opportunity," he said.