SA Rugby’s future stars assemble. Image: DFA.
(The Post News)– South Africa’s Junior Springboks are set to kick off their preparations for a busy 2025 season with the first U20 Academy camp of the year. Among the 48 players invited to attend is Divan Fuller, who impressed in the back row during last year’s U20 Rugby Championship and World Rugby U20 Championship. Fuller also made his senior debut for Western Province in the 2024 Currie Cup season.
The Academy camp will take place at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport from 26 January to 16 February, following two successful U19 training camps held at the same venue in November and December 2024. These earlier camps laid the groundwork for identifying future Junior Springboks. Head coach Kevin Foote and his staff will use the upcoming camp to refine fundamentals and integrate new talent.
Foote noted that the previous camps were highly productive and expressed excitement about reuniting the group. He explained that the upcoming camp would also allow them to work with players who had not been part of the earlier sessions.
The Academy squad will engage in a series of training matches, including two against local university teams, to sharpen their skills. A short tour to Georgia is also being planned for next month as part of their build-up to the SANZAAR U20 Rugby Championship in May and the World Rugby U20 Championship in June and July.
The coach emphasised the importance of set pieces and the kicking game, which are central to South African rugby, as initial focus areas. He also assured that players outside the current squad still had opportunities to join if they proved themselves. Foote highlighted the significant effort required in the months ahead, describing it as an exciting yet demanding period for the players. The 2025 season promises to be a defining one for the Junior Springboks as they aim to build on their successes and compete on the international stage.
About the Author
