TWO of Eastern Province's most promising players, CJ Velleman and Malcolm Jaer, have been included in the 28-man Junior Springbok squad for a two-match series against Argentina U20 in Rosario next month.
Their selection is a strong indication that former Grey High captain Velleman, who plays on the flank, and explosive backline player Jaer, who attended Brandwag, are in line for selection for the Junior World Cup in Italy in June. Both players are members of the Saru Kings Academy, based at NMMU.
The World Cup squad will be named later in May, following the Argentine trip.
The squad will be led by Vodacom Bulls number eight Hanro Liebenberg, who also captained the Junior Boks last week in their match against the Varsity Cup Dream Team in Stellenbosch.
The Junior Springboks fly out to Argentina on May 8 and will play against their Argentine counterparts on May 12 and 16 in Rosario.
According to Junior Springbok coach Dawie Theron, the tour against the Los Pumitas will give his squad important playing time against strong opposition.
“We only have three matches left before we play in the Under-20 Championship in Italy. Two are against Argentina U20 and the remaining outing will be against the WP Rugby Institute in Stellenbosch. So this tour is vital for our preparations,” Theron emphasised.
“Argentina is a very tough team to play, especially on their home ground so we can brace ourselves for two tough, physical clashes. The boys did well to come out on top of a very good Varsity Cup Dream Team last week and now we will have another two matches to try our combinations and give much needed game time to our players.”
Cell C Sharks fly half Innocent Radebe, who had a solid match last week in Stellenbosch for the Varsity Cup Dream Team against the Junior Boks, was ruled out of the tour because of an ankle injury he sustained while on Vodacom Cup duty this past weekend.
The Junior Springbok squad to tour Argentina from 8 – 18 May is:
Forwards (17)
Hyron Andrews (Cell C Sharks)
Dan du Preez (Cell C Sharks)
Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks)
Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks)
Joseph Dwebe (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
Njabulo Gumede (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Jason Jenkins (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Ruan Kramer (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
Hanro Liebenberg (Vodacom Bulls – captain)
Mzamo Majola (Cell C Sharks)
Ox Nche (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
Abongile Nonkontwana (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
RG Snyman (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Jan van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Frans van Wyk (DHL Western Province)
CJ Velleman (EP Kings)
Jacques Vermeulen (DHL Western Province)
Backs (11)
Daniel du Plessis (DHL Western Province)
Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Grant Hermanus (DHL Western Province)
JT Jackson (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Malcolm Jaer (EP Kings)
Marco Janse van Vuuren (Golden Lions)
Khanyo Ngcukana (DHL Western Province)
Ernst Stapelberg (DHL Western Province)
Brandon Thomson (DHL Western Province)
Ivan van Zyl (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Leolin Zas (DHL Western Province)
