An energised Junior Springboks squad has resumed training in Stellenbosch, entering the next block of their preparations for the new season at full speed.

This follows a short break after a successful short tour of Georgia, where the South Africans clinched a 2-0 series win against their hosts. The SA U20s are now gearing up for their next assignment – the U20 Rugby Championship next month, followed by the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy in June/July.

Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote described the atmosphere in the camp as exciting, ahead of training matches against the Vodacom Bulls U21s and Hamiltons club side over the next two weeks.

“There’s always a lot of excitement when the boys know they will play rugby,” said Foote. “I am also very grateful for the new players who have come into the squad, as they have brought some extra energy.”

He highlighted the vibrant rugby environment in Stellenbosch, with the recently completed North-South/Noord-Suid Festival at Paul Roos Gymnasium and Varsity Cup action adding to the buzz.

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“It’s excellent to have the North-South Festival on our doorstep in Stellenbosch and the business end of the Varsity Cup looming – there is a lot of banter and energy as the guys support their former schools,” Foote added.

“We are training now with much more intensity, and fitness is one of our key focus areas for this block. We are training with a lot of speed and physicality. The players are also concentrating on set pieces and game management, crucial aspects of their preparation.

“This block, we are looking a lot at our contact, intensity, and discipline, which are such big factors in rugby these days.”

Foote is pleased with the team’s progress and development, emphasising that they have not taken a step back since their Georgian tour.

He also highlighted the smooth transition into the new training block: “It’s great that we have leapt straight into our new training chapter without taking any steps back from the Georgian tour, which was a great learning experience for us all.

“Our focus is on real intensity, speed, physicality, set pieces, and match management. The U20 Rugby Championship will be a really good and exciting challenge.”

Photo: @SAJuniorRugby/Twitter