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South Africa national under-20 rugby union team


FieldValue
teamnameSouth Africa Under-20
countrySouth Africa
unionSouth African Rugby Union
founded2008
nicknameBaby Boks
Junior Boks
Little Bokke
coachKevin Foote
leagueWorld Rugby Under 20 Championship
season2019
position3rd
pattern_la1_SA green2
pattern_b1_green_gold_collar2
pattern_ra1_SA green
leftarm1006400
body1006400
rightarm1006400
shorts1FFFFFF
socks1006400
pattern_b2_greyblue_sleeve_seams
leftarm2FFFFFF
body2FFFFFF
rightarm2FFFFFF
shorts2FFFFFF
socks2006400
firstv United States (2008)
bigwinSouth Africa 108–18 United States
biglossSouth Africa 19 – 49 Argentina
World cup apps16
bestChampions (2012, 2025)
unionurlhttp://www.sarugby.co.za
currentseason2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship
prevseason2025
nextseason2026

Junior Boks Little Bokke The South Africa national under-20 rugby union team (nicknamed the Junior Boks or the Baby Boks) are South Africa's junior team at national level. They have been competing in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship (formerly the IRB Junior World Championship) since its inception in 2008. This Under-20 tournament replaced the previously-held Under-19 and Under-21 Rugby World Championships. Prior to 2018, it had been the country's "next senior" (second-level) 15-man national side, but World Rugby no longer allows member unions to designate age-grade sides as "next senior" teams.

History

Head to Head

  • Stats correct as of 2 July 2023 | Opposition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | % Won | | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | % | | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | % | | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | % | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | % | | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | % | | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | % | | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | % | | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | % | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | % | | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | % | | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | % | | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | % | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | % | | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | % | | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | % | Total | 62 | 44 | 1 | 17 | %

Summary

South AfricanFinalPlacingPWDLPFPA
2008330017319Lost
2009330014440Lost
2010320114856Lost
201132019552
201232019941WonWon
2013330015443Lost
2014330011537WonLost
2015330011926Lost
2016320111269Lost
2017321013351Lost
201832019290Lost
2019330011656Lost

2008

South Africa took part in the inaugural edition of the competition in 2008 held in Wales, where they were drawn in Pool B. They beat the United States 108–18 in their very first game. A 72–3 victory over Scotland and a 16–11 win against Samoa saw them top the pool to qualify for the semi-final stages. They lost their semi-final match 18–26 to England, but returned to winning ways with a 43–18 win over hosts Wales in the third-place play-off match.

Matches

2009

South Africa were placed in Pool C of the 2009 competition held in Japan. They emulated their 2008 form, winning all three of their pool matches – they beat Fiji 36–10, Italy 65–3 and France 43–27 to finish top of the pool. They again lost to England in the semi-finals (losing 21–40), but again bounced back by winning the third-place play-off match, this time beating Australia 32–5.

Matches

2010

A 40–14 victory over Tonga in the opening match of Pool C in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship held in Argentina was followed up by a 73–0 victory over Scotland, before South Africa suffered their first ever pool stage defeat in the competition, losing 35–42 to Australia. Although finishing in second position in the pool, they still qualified for the semi-finals by virtue of having the best record of the second-placed teams across the three pools. They were eliminated 7–36 by New Zealand in the semi-finals, but managed to win the third-place play-off for the third year in a row, avenging their previous semi-final exists at the hands of England by beating them 27–22.

2011

Victories in South Africa's first two matches at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship held in Italy – beating Scotland 33–0 and Ireland 42–26 – were followed by a defeat at the hands of England, losing 20–26 to finish second in the pool and failing to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time. Instead, they went into the fifth-placed play-off series, where a 57–15 win over pool rivals Ireland and a 104–17 win over Fiji saw them finish the competition in fifth spot.

2012

South Africa hosted the tournament in 2012, but the hosts got off to a bad start, losing 19–23 to Ireland in their first match. However, they recovered to beat Italy 52–3 and previously-unbeaten England 28–15 to finish top of the log. They easily dispatched Argentina in the semi-final, winning 35–3, before beating New Zealand 22–16 in the final in Cape Town, winning the competition for the first time and ending the latter's four-year reign as champions.

2013

South Africa won all three their pool matches at the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship held in France; they beat the United States 97–0, England 31–24 and hosts France 26–19 to top their pool to qualify to the semi-finals. They lost their semi-final match 17–18 to Wales before winning their fourth third-place play-off match in six seasons, beating New Zealand 41–34.

2014

In the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship held in New Zealand, South Africa beat Scotland 61–5, hosts New Zealand 33–24 and Samoa 21–8 to finish top of their pool. They again met New Zealand in the semi-finals and beat them again, this time by a 32–25 scoreline, to qualify to their second final. However, they lost the final 20–21 to England to finish the competition in second spot.

2015

For 2015, the IRB Junior World Championship was rebranded as the World Rugby Under 20 Championship. South Africa started the competition with a 33–5 win against hosts Italy and recorded a 40–8 win against Samoa and a 46–13 win over Australia in their remaining pool matches to finish top of Pool B to qualify for the semi-finals with the best record pool stage of all the teams in the competition. They came up against an England side that beat them in the 2014 final and were eliminated by the same opponents again, losing 20–28 to be eliminated from the competition. They restored some pride by winning their third-place play-off match against France 31–18 to win the bronze medal.

2016

South Africa came from behind to beat Japan 59–19 in their opening match in Pool C of the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship held in Manchester. They were beaten 13–19 by Argentina in their second match, suffering only their fourth defeat ever in the pool stage of the competition, but bounced back to secure a 40-31 bonus-point victory over France in their final pool match to secure a semi-final place as the best runner-up in the competition. They faced hosts and three-time champions England in the semi-finals, who proved too strong for the visitors, knocking them out of the competition with a 39–17 victory. South Africa's final match came against Argentina, who already beat them previously in Pool C, in the third-place play-off final. Argentina won again, with a very convincing 49–19 scoreline, condemning South Africa to fourth place in the competition.

Players

Current squad

The following players were named in the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship:

2019 South Africa Under–20 rugby union teamNameSCOGEONZLFRAARGAppTryConPenDGPtsTotal5221571164
Dian Bleuler111117500000
Fez Mbatha222225200010
Asenathi Ntlabakanye33333510005
JJ van der Mescht444445300015
Emile van Heerden552525300000
Jaco Labuschagne62120206400000
Phepsi Buthelezi (c)78888500000
Francke Horn8110005
Jaden Hendrikse9999235284038
James Mollentze10101010400000
Caleb Dingaan1111262622300000
Rikus Pretorius12121212125200010
Marnus Potgieter1313131325400000
Angelo Davids1414141414510005
Vaughen Isaacs1515151515510005
Dameon Venter1616161616500000
Kudzwai Dube171717171510005
Keagan Glade1818181818500000
Thabiso Mdletshe1919191919100000
Elrigh Louw2020555400000
Dylan Richardson21666205200010
David Kriel2227282813100000
Sanele Nohamba2323232395273033
Celimpilo Gumede24721217400000
David Coetzer2526272710410018
Mnombo Zwelendaba26222226100000
Sibusiso Sangweni27247721200000
Thaakir Abrahams28221111114300015
Janko Swanepoel242424100000

(c) denotes the team captain. For each match, the player's squad number is shown. Starting players are numbered 1 to 15, while the replacements are numbered 16 to 23. If a replacement made an appearance in the match, it is indicated by . "App" refers to the number of appearances made by the player, "Try" to the number of tries scored by the player, "Con" to the number of conversions kicked, "Pen" to the number of penalties kicked, "DG" to the number of drop goals kicked and "Pts" refer to the total number of points scored by the player.

Previous squads

The following players played at previous editions of the World Rugby Under 20 Championship:

2018 South Africa Under-20 rugby union teamNameGEOIRLFRAENGNZLAppsPts
Nathan McBeth11130
Dan Jooste22230
Sazi Sandi3181833515
Salmaan Moerat (c)4444450
Ruan Nortjé551955510
Dian Schoonees666202040
PJ Steenkamp7207740
Muller Uys88888515
Zak Burger9999410
Damian Willemse1010210
Sihle Njezula1123231130
Rikus Pretorius121220
Wandisile Simelane1313111113530
Tyrone Green1414141414515
Gianni Lombard1515151515521
Schalk Erasmus16162161655
Alulutho Tshakweni1717171155
Asenathi Ntlabakanye18331818510
Ruan Vermaak191951940
Ben-Jason Dixon2072019750
Rewan Kruger212121930
Lubabalo Dobela222210222242
Lyle Hendricks2312121240
Muller du Plessis1115
Manuel Rass2313132345
Tiaan van der Merwe16225
David Coetzer22101030
Phepsi Buthelezi6620
Leon Lyons171720
Jack Hart212110
2017 South Africa Under-20 rugby union teamNameFRAGEOARGENGFRAAppsPts
Gerhard Steenekamp1161616150
Johan Grobbelaar22222520
Carlü Sadie3333350
Salmaan Moerat44194450
Ruben van Heerden5455410
Zain Davids620630
Ernst van Rhyn (c)7777750
Juarno Augustus88888535
Rewan Kruger910
Curwin Bosch10231010441
Wandisile Simelane1113131323510
David Brits122225
Stedman Gans132222221340
Yaw Penxe1414141414510
Manie Libbok1510151510527
Kwenzo Blose161111650
Dan Jooste171717171730
Lee-Marvin Mazibuko181820
Hendré Stassen1919530
Nama Xaba2010
Francois de Villiers212121212125
Damian Willemse221212121255
Gianni Lombard2311111111510
Reinhard Nothnagel5191930
Len Massyn66630
Embrose Papier999945
Jeanluc Cilliers1523231539
Wikus Groenewald18181830
Muller Uys20202030
2016 South Africa Under-20 rugby union teamNameJPNARGFRAENGARGAppsPts
Kwenzo Blose11720
Tango Balekile221621650
Jaco Holtzhausen31818330
Cobus Wiese420720750
Eli Snyman5555550
Zain Davids66666515
Ernst van Rhyn7719740
Junior Pokomela8888850
James Hall9921212150
Manie Libbok1015101010515
Mosolwa Mafuma11111435
JT Jackson122212121255
Jeremy Ward (c)13131313410
S'busiso Nkosi14141430
Curwin Bosch1510151515563
Jan-Henning Campher1616216255
Franco van den Berg171117155
Carlü Sadie183318355
Ruben de Villiers191944450
Denzel Hill20202010
Embrose Papier21925
Franco Naudé221222221350
Keanu Vers2323232320
Eduard Zandberg4191930
NJ Oosthuizen171711830
Marco Jansen van Vuren219930
Edwill van der Merwe23111111415
Stedman Gans1410
Benhard Janse van Rensburg2210
2015 South Africa Under-20 rugby union teamNameITASAMAUSENGFRAAppsPts
Ox Nché1111155
Jan van der Merwe2161616255
Thomas du Toit33333510
Abongile Nonkontwana41910
RG Snyman5555550
Rikus Bothma6625
Jean-Luc du Preez77772050
Hanro Liebenberg (c)88888510
Ivan van Zyl9999950
Brandon Thomson1010101010559
Leolin Zas1111111111510
Daniël du Plessis121212121255
JT Jackson131320
Khanyo Ngcukana14141435
Warrick Gelant151515151550
Joseph Dweba162221640
Njabulo Gumede1710
Frans van Wyk181818181855
Jason Jenkins194444515
Dan du Preez20620207510
Marco Jansen van Vuren212121212130
Tinus de Beer222222222246
Malcolm Jaer23231435
Grant Hermanus14232330
Mzamo Majola1717171740
Hyron Andrews19191920
Jacques Vermeulen206635
EW Viljoen2313131340
penalty try10
2014 South Africa Under-20 rugby union teamNameSCONZLSAMNZLENGAppsPts
Pierre Schoeman1171171755
Malcolm Marx215
Wilco Louw3183181850
Abongile Nonkontwana4191920
Nico Janse van Rensburg5555550
Jacques Vermeulen676640
Cyle Brink77207750
Aidon Davis88888510
Zee Mkhabela92121212110
Handré Pollard (c)1010101010565
Sergeal Petersen1111141111515
André Esterhuizen12121212410
Jesse Kriel1313151313525
Lloyd Greeff141414315
Warrick Gelant1515231515510
Corniel Els16222245
Dayan van der Westhuizen173183340
Thomas du Toit1811140
JD Schickerling19444450
Jean-Luc du Preez2062030
JP Smith21999950
Jean-Luc du Plessis222222222222
Rohan Janse van Rensburg2310
Dan Kriel1213231440
Joseph Dweba1616161620
Victor Sekekete2019201910
Duhan van der Merwe23112320
Thabo Mabuza610
Nqoba Mxoli1700
2013 South Africa Under-20 rugby union teamNameUSAENGFRAWALNZLAppsPts
Andrew Beerwinkel111711740
Jacques du Toit22221655
Luan de Bruin333345
Irné Herbst4444455
Dennis Visser5555550
Roelof Smit666645
Jacques du Plessis7777755
Ruan Steenkamp (c)88886510
Stefan Ungerer999945
Robert du Preez1010211021428
Seabelo Senatla1111111111540
Handré Pollard1212101210534
Justin Geduld131321310
Luther Obi1414141414520
Cheslin Kolbe1515151515510
Mike Willemse161616162510
Sti Sithole1717117140
Aidon Davis18191918830
Kwagga Smith191919310
Hanco Venter2020920
Dries Swanepoel212113132245
Jesse Kriel2222222213410
Marné Coetzee23233232340
Jannes Kirsten181810
Rohan Janse van Rensburg121220
Percy Williams20202010
Devon Martinus2310
Jannie Stander1800
2012 South Africa Under-20 rugby union teamNameIRLITAENGARGNZLAppsPts
Steven Kitshoff1111155
Mark Pretorius216162245
Allan Dell31717171740
Paul Willemse44444510
Pieter-Steph du Toit51877755
Shaun Adendorff66619310
Wiaan Liebenberg (c)7719640
Fabian Booysen81988850
Abrie Griesel92020202030
Tony Jantjies10212121319
Raymond Rhule112214310
Jan Serfontein1212121212520
Patrick Howard13221135
Paul Jordaan14141430
Dillyn Leyds1515151540
Jason Thomas162230
Oli Kebble1733232340
Ruan Botha18555550
Braam Steyn19819181825
Vian van der Watt209999510
Handré Pollard2110101010442
Tshotso Mbovane221422111140
Maks van Dyk2323233340
Khaya Majola61810
Travis Ismaiel112210
William Small-Smith131313310
Marais Schmidt152110
Franco Marais161610
Kobus van Wyk1310
Dean Hammond00
Marvin Orie00
2011 South Africa Under-20 rugby union teamNameSCOIRLENGIRLFIJAppsPts
Juan Schoeman11130
Bongi Mbonambi216216250
Nick Schonert3171731750
Jean Cook418184450
Eben Etzebeth5555555
Francois Kleinhans661935
Siya Kolisi719730
Arno Botha (c)88888535
Pieter Rademan920999510
Johan Goosen1010101010579
Wandile Mjekevu1111111111520
Francois Venter1212121212530
Paul Jordaan132222222155
Tshotsho Mbovane141414325
Ulrich Beyers1515151540
Michael van Vuuren1621621650
John-Roy Jenkinson173317350
Ruan Venter184420
Cornell du Preez197197755
Lohan Jacobs20920202040
Johnny Welthagen2121212122
Craig Barry2200
Stephan Kotzé1120
Nizaam Carr66196410
Bradley Moolman131320
Courtnall Skosan14142235
Jaco Taute151313315
Carl Wegner181820
penalty try5
2010 South Africa Under-20 rugby union teamNameTONSCOAUSNZLENGAppsPts
Brummer Badenhorst111145
Monde Hadebe2222250
Marcel van der Merwe33333510
Kene Okafor4444455
Sebastian de Chaves5555550
Siya Kolisi66666510
Fanie van der Walt777740
CJ Stander (c)8888855
Louis Schreuder9999950
Elton Jantjies1010101010512
Wandile Mjekevu1114111111515
Francois Venter1212121245
Jaco Taute1313131345
Sampie Mastriet141425
Patrick Lambie1515151515575
François du Toit161616161640
Ruan Dreyer171717171750
Peet Marais181920
Mlungisi Bali19719181840
Branco du Preez201321122145
Adri Jacobs21212110
Nico Scheepers222222141445
S'bura Sithole112222320
Wessel du Rand1818130
Tera Mtembu2020191940
Lohan Jacobs202020
Freddie Muller00
2009 South Africa Under-20 rugby union teamNameFIJITAFRAENGAUSAppsPts
Morné Mellett11811150
Kyle Cooper21622250
Julian Redelinghuys3317171840
Jandré Marais444445
David Bulbring5555550
Marnus Schoeman66206650
Tendayi Chikukwa719735
CJ Stander88888510
Rudy Paige92021212040
Francois Brummer10121515438
Sampie Mastriet11111111415
Johann Sadie1221222145
Robert Ebersohn (c)1312131212510
Clayton Blommetjies142220
Sias Ebersohn151515340
Zane Botha16216161650
Coenie Oosthuizen171733350
Caylib Oosthuizen18118181750
Rynhardt Elstadt196730
Stokkies Hanekom2013221313510
Ross Cronjé21999955
Kene Okafor22419191950
Yaya Hartzenberg720730
Lionel Cronjé10101010429
Tom Seabela1122210
Gerhard van den Heever14141414415
2008 South Africa Under-20 rugby union teamNameUSASCOSAMENGWALAppsPts
Jéan Rossouw117120
PW van Vuuren21621616520
Wiehahn Herbst31717340
Cornell Hess4555550
Sabelo Nhlapo51918181935
Thiliphatu Marole67676510
Nick Köster718719755
Gerrit-Jan van Velze (c)88888515
Dewaldt Duvenage999202140
Sias Ebersohn1020202110310
Lionel Mapoe11111111425
Robert Ebersohn1212121213530
Stefan Watermeyer13131313420
Vainon Willis1421222245
Cecil Afrika152122141445
Henri Bantjes162162250
Frik Kirsten173331755
Martin Muller18444455
MB Lusaseni191910
Francois Hougaard209930
Francois Brummer2110101012567
Wilton Pietersen2215151515510
Corné Fourie1111840
Johan van Deventer6620310
Stephan Dippenaar141425
Tom Seabela221125

(c) denotes team captain.

Award winners

The following South Africa U20s players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2008:

YearNomineesWinners
2012Shaun AdendorffJan Serfontein
Jan Serfontein
2014Handré PollardHandré Pollard
2016Curwin Bosch
2017Juarno AugustusJuarno Augustus
2019Jaden Hendrikse

References

References

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  46. (7 May 2019). "Buthelezi to lead Junior Boks at World Rugby U20 Champs". South African Rugby Union.
  47. "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby".
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