Five players to watch as Junior Springboks gear up for Currie Cup challenge
Image: Maurilio Boldrini / World Rugby
After their success at the World Rugby U20 Championship, several Junior Springboks will get a well-deserved break, but then it is straight back into the Currie Cup at their respective unions.
While the tournament, kicking off this weekend, is not as prestigious as in previous years, the developmental aspect of it could aid some of the U20 players taking part. This will be a perfect platform from which they can launch their senior careers, looking at cracking a nod at their United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises.
We look at five players who must take the next step in their careers.
Haashim Pead (Lions)
The Junior Bok vice-captain could be the perfect understudy to Springbok Morné van den Berg when it comes to the URC. For that to happen, the Lions must back him in the Currie Cup and give him as many minutes as possible to find his feet.
Pead has the pedigree to become great at the union, but it will all depend on how they utilise him. His instinctive plays will suit the Lions' game.
He is quick behind the breakdown, and Pead has this ability to see space that few scrumhalves in South Africa possess. His kicking game will also benefit from senior rugby.
Batho Hlekani (Sharks)
Hopefully, the Durban side will have a proper plan and pathway for his special talent after showing off his all-around skills in the U20 Championship. Hlekani was the physical heartbeat of the Baby Boks.
But he is not just a strong defender, although the opposition felt his hard hits right through the tournament, Hlekani is also a strong ball carrier. While he knows how to take the ball up into tackles with his direct plays, he also has a keen eye for gaps and a great turn of pace.
Vusi Moyo (Sharks)
Another young South African flyhalf with a good all-round game. He was running the attacking show of the Junior Boks alongside Pead and looked to be in total control when it came to spreading the ball down the backline or taking it up himself.
Moyo can be physical too and doesn't back down from the dirty work in contact. He compliments that attacking gameplay well with his kicking and he looks so calm with the ball in hand or when putting it up in the sky. The real test will come when he plays against seasoned Currie Cup players.
Cheswill Jooste (Bulls)
He's been likened to Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe for his pace and stepping exploits during the tournament, and the way he scored tries, chased high kicks, and sidestepped opponents showed why he was one of the stars of the side.
The Bulls' game will suit Jooste and the players around him should be able to get him into space whenever he gets a run for the side. He ran circles around his opposition in Italy, but must now step it up against some of his teammates who know him and other more experienced wings in the tournament.
Riley Norton (Western Province)
A leader of men and Western Province will have to look after their Junior Springbok-winning captain in the future. While they have some big names when it comes to the lock position, it will be crucial to get Norton involved in their campaign.
Alongside Hlekani, Norton led the physical charge of the team throughout the tournament. However, his leadership qualities and how he kept his team calm and fighting stood out. He leads by example when it comes to the physical things on the field and a campaign against hardened senior players will stand him in good stead.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Currie Cup result: rampant Bulls outgun Western Province
The Bulls scored six tries as they claimed a bonus-point victory. CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 26: Boeta Chamberlain of Vodacom Bulls during the Carling Currie Cup match between DHL Western Province and Vodacom Bulls at DHL Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images) The Vodacom Bulls ran in eight tries and flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain put in a flawless kicking display to completely out-muscle Western Province in their north-south derby in Cape Town. Scrumhalf Zak Burger and No 8 Jeandre Rudolph each scored a brace of tries as the Bulls registered a 48-23 win at the Cape Town Stadium, to get their Currie Cup campaign off to the ideal start. The Bulls struck early through maul dominance. Hooker Joe van Zyl and Burger crossing in quick succession before flyhalf Kyle Smith's boot and sharp intercept try from fullback Shilton van Wyk pulled WP back to 14-13. Sintu Manjezi's reply restored momentum for the Bulls, who capitalised when the hosts were reduced to 13 men, with Rudolph powering over for the Bulls' bonus-point try. WP Captain Zain Davids and locks Gary Porter and Alex Groves all saw yellow in the first half. The Bulls took a 38-16 lead into the sheds, but it was Province who came out stronger in the third quarter. Winger Courtnall Skosan rounded off some solid build-up play from the hosts and there were hopes of a revival. But Rudolph's second try and Chamberlain's boot made sure that the result was never in doubt. The Bulls next host the Sharks at Loftus, while WP travel to Ellis Park to take on the Lions. This story was first published on It is republished here with permission.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
‘Referees were too weak': Enraged Wallabies cry foul over controversial Lions win
Wallabies legends and coaches slammed referees for allowing a controversial Lions try that sealed Australia's series defeat in Melbourne. Former Wallabies centre Morgan Turinui blasted the match officials for lacking the courage to penalise a dangerous clean-out in the build-up to the British and Irish Lions' series-clinching try on Saturday. With the second Test locked in a dramatic final minute, Lions fullback Hugo Keenan crossed to secure a 2-0 series lead at the MCG. But Wallabies players and coaches fumed after flanker Carlo Tizzano appeared to be cleaned out illegally by Lions captain Jac Morgan. Tizzano clutched his neck after the collision, suggesting clear head or neck contact, which should have triggered a penalty under World Rugby law. Referee Andrea Piardi and TMO Eric Gauzins reviewed the incident but let the try stand, ruling there was no foul play involved. Turinui, calling the match for Nine, accused the officials of cowardice and claimed the Wallabies had been robbed of a deserved result. 'The end is a penalty to the Wallabies, and the referees were too weak to give it,' Turinui said in frustration. 'They've got it wrong, and it's cost the Wallabies the series. It's a terrible decision that decides this match.' Wallabies captain Michael Hooper echoed Turinui's sentiment, saying the decision went against the letter of the law in the match's dying moments. 'If that was minute one, it's a penalty,' Hooper told Nine. 'From minute one to 79, that's the same law. Period.' Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt didn't hold back either, directing attention to Law 9.20, which covers neck contact and player safety. 'Just look at Law 9.20,' Schmidt said post-match. 'The referees didn't do their duty to protect player welfare. They got it wrong.' According to World Rugby's own definition, clean-outs involving neck or head contact must be penalised, with potential yellow or red cards issued. Tizzano's reaction, grabbing his neck, pointed to clear contact above the shoulders, yet the officials chose not to act. Wallabies No 8 Harry Wilson declined to comment directly but hinted at outrage, saying he wasn't in the right emotional space to respond. The decision has sparked immediate controversy and calls for greater consistency and courage from officials in high-stakes moments. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Star-studded Bulls see off brave Western Province in Currie Cup clash
Bulls Currie Cup coach Phiwe Nomlomo will be happy with their start to the season following their win over Western Province. The Bulls put in a workmanlike performance to beat a brave Western Province team 48-23 in a Currie Cup match in Cape Town on Saturday evening. Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo's side came into the match as heavy favourites after selecting a very strong team filled with a lot of quality and experience. While most of their United Rugby Championship players are resting or with the Springboks, they still managed to field seasoned pros such as Marvin Orie, Boeta Chamberlain and Sintu Manjezi. Province, on the other hand, fielded seven debutants in their run-on team, including a few Blitzboks, who have been roped in to bolster their squad in the absence of their Stormers and Springbok players. And it was clear from the first minute that Province were going to be under the pump, especially at set-piece time. The Bulls scored five of their six tries in the first half, dominating the collisions and getting penalties as Province tried to stop the bleeding.
