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199 items · Junior Boks
SA Rugby mourns death of former SA Schools prop Luqobo Makwedini
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has mourned the death of former SA Schools and SA U18 prop Luqobo 'Bibo' Makwedini, who died during a training session with French club Béziers at the age of 20.
Mnebelele: Junior Boks focused on fast start against England in World Championship semifinal
Junior Springbok captain Siphosethu Mnebelele says the squad's focus is on a fast start and executing their roles against England in Monday's Junior World Championship semifinal in Tbilisi, with utility back Luan Giliomee returning at fullback after missing the Wales pool match.
Craven Week standouts and the SA Schools squads in full
A performance-by-performance breakdown of the U18 Craven Week, with analysis of the more interesting SA Schools selection calls — including the Sharks' dominance of the main squad's pack and the standout individuals who shaped the tournament.
Junior Boks target historic run as they face England in Tbilisi semifinal
The Junior Springboks face England in the Junior World Championship semifinal in Tbilisi on Monday at 18h30 SA time, with a tenth consecutive JWC win putting them within one of New Zealand's all-time record streak. Captain Siphosethu Mnebelele says the lessons of a nervy final pool match against Wales have sharpened the squad's focus on a fast start, while Luan Giliomee returns at fullback after missing that game.
Junior Boks target fast start against England in Tbilisi semi-final
The Junior Springboks face England in a World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final in Tbilisi on Monday at 18h30 SA time, with captain Siphosethu Mnebelele stressing the need for a fast start after hard lessons from the pool stage. A win would put them one victory away from equalling New Zealand's record of 11 consecutive Junior World Championship wins.
Junior Springboks ready for England semi-final — Mnebelele and Giliomee
Captain Mnebelele and Giliomee say full squad buy-in to the gameplan has the Junior Springboks ready for their World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final against England.
Junior World Championship Semis: Junior Boks Face Unbeaten England, Rugby365 Tips SA by Eight
Full team sheets and match predictions for all Junior World Championship knockout fixtures, including the Junior Boks vs England semifinal — Rugby365 tips South Africa to win by eight against an unbeaten English side.
SAIDS conducts drug testing at U18 Craven Week in Gqeberha
SAIDS confirms drug testing is taking place at the U18 Craven Week in Gqeberha.
Junior Bok coaches host Georgia coaching seminar ahead of England semifinal
Junior Springbok assistant coaches Barend Pieterse and Lumumba Currie hosted a coaching seminar for Georgian coaches in Tbilisi on Thursday, focusing on set-piece fundamentals, before the team turns its attention to Monday's Junior World Championship semifinal against England, which will be refereed by France's Kevin Bralley.
WP XV complete second-half comeback to beat Lions as Bulls, Pumas and Griffons also win at Craven Week
WP XV came from 14-0 down to beat the Golden Lions 43-33 on day four of the FNB U18 Craven Week in Gqeberha, with hat-trick winger Thomas Saunders starring. The Bulls (59-19), Pumas (54-14) and Griffons (29-12) also won convincingly.
WP XV complete second-half comeback to floor Lions on day four of FNB U18 Craven Week
WP XV recovered from 14-0 down to beat the Golden Lions 43-33 on day four of the FNB U18 Craven Week in Gqeberha, with Thomas Saunders scoring a hat-trick. The Griffons, Pumas and Blue Bulls also won, setting up a final round of fixtures at Grey High School on Saturday.
WP XV complete stunning fightback to down Lions at FNB U18 Craven Week
Western Province XV overturned a 14-0 deficit to beat the Golden Lions 43-33 on day four of the FNB U18 Craven Week in Gqeberha, with Thomas Saunders scoring a hat-trick, as the Griffons, Pumas and Blue Bulls also won convincingly.
Junior Bok coaches host set-piece masterclass in Tbilisi ahead of England semi-final
Junior Springbok coaches Barend Pieterse and Lumumba Currie hosted a World Rugby legacy seminar for Georgian coaches in Tbilisi on Thursday, covering set-piece fundamentals, ahead of Monday's Junior World Championship semi-final against England.
Junior Springbok prop Kai Pratt facing doping allegation after adverse anabolic steroid finding
Sharks confirm 18-year-old Junior Springbok loosehead Kai Pratt has returned an adverse analytical finding for an anabolic steroid. The B sample process is pending, no hearing has been set, and the case lands amid mounting doping concerns in South African rugby.
Sharks teenager Kai Pratt faces doping allegation after adverse finding
Sharks 18-year-old prop Kai Pratt has returned an adverse analytical finding for an anabolic steroid, with SAIDS confirming the disciplinary process is in its early stages and no ban yet in place. The case is the latest in a series of doping-related matters to hit South African rugby.
Junior Bok prop Pratt faces doping process after positive test for anabolic steroid
Sharks prop Kai Pratt, 18, has tested positive for an anabolic steroid in a pre-U20 Championship doping test conducted on April 10. SAIDS confirms he has requested B-sample analysis, with no hearing set and no ban in place. Pratt is also recovering from foot surgery sustained during the Junior Springboks' April 27 clash with Argentina U20.
Junior Boks draw on knockout experience ahead of England semi-final
South Africa U20 head coach Kevin Foote believes his side's tournament experience will prove crucial when they face England in Monday's Junior World Championship semi-final in Tbilisi. The defending champions topped Pool A with maximum points after recovering from a sluggish start to beat Wales 52-33 on Tuesday, setting up a heavyweight last-four clash at the Avchala Stadium.
Junior Boks bank knockout experience ahead of England semi-final
The Junior Boks beat Wales 52-33 in Tbilisi to top Pool A and set up a Junior World Cup semi-final against England on Monday, with coach Kevin Foote highlighting the squad's knockout experience while flagging defence and ball retention as areas to sharpen.
Currie urges Junior Boks to sharpen execution ahead of England semi-final
Assistant coach Lumumba Currie says the Junior Springboks' unbeaten pool campaign — 189 points, 29 tries, +144 points difference — has been built on forward dominance, but warns that finishing and defensive lapses must be addressed before Monday's JWC semi-final against an equally unbeaten England in Tbilisi (18h30 SA time, SuperSport).
Junior Boks brace for England semi-final after dominant pool campaign
The Junior Springboks face England in a JWC semi-final in Tbilisi on Monday (18h30 SA time) after topping Pool A with three wins and a tournament-leading +144 points difference. Assistant coach Lumumba Currie acknowledges unfinished business in their execution despite the dominant pool campaign.