Currie backs Junior Boks’ growth as they brace for JWC semi-final

Junior Springbok assistant coach Lumumba Currie was pleased with their progress through the pool stages of the Junior World Championship but insisted there is still significant room for improvement as the defending champions prepare for a heavyweight semi-final against England in Tbilisi on Monday.

The Junior Boks completed an unbeaten Pool A campaign on evening Tuesday with a 52-33 victory over Wales, securing maximum points from their three group matches and finishing top of the standings with a tournament-leading points difference of +144. The SA U20s scored 189 points and crossed for 29 tries in their three pool matches against Uruguay, Georgia and Wales.

Echoing SA U20 head coach Kevin Foote’s comments after the Welsh game, Currie reiterated that topping the pool was the team's primary objective coming into the JWC.

“We are very pleased that we've come through the group stages,” said Currie.

“In a competition like this, the first goal is to win your pool and we've managed to do that successfully. The Wales game was effectively a pool decider, with us just one point apart and it was important for us to get the job done.”

While satisfied with the three group results, Currie believes the team's success has been built on a strong forward platform and significant improvements in key areas identified earlier this season.

“Our pack has taken us forward throughout the tournament and managed to give us momentum in all three matches,” he said.

“Defensively we've done some good things as well but there are areas we need to focus because soft moments can hurt you in this competition, where the format is unforgiving.”

The Junior Boks’ ability to recover from adversity has also pleased the coaching staff. Against Wales, the Junior Boks trailed 14-0 after the opening 11 minutes before responding with eight tries to pull away from their European opponents.

The victory followed earlier wins over Uruguay (104-7) and hosts Georgia (33-5), with the tournament hosts also dominating the early stages of the game before the Junior Boks hit their straps.

Against Wales they scored eight tries, five of which were off successful line-out mauls, illustrating the SA U20s’ physical intent.

Despite posting more than 50 points against Wales, Currie revealed that the squad realised there are work to be done before taking on traditional rivals England.

“We hold ourselves to very high standards,” he explained. “Even though we scored more than 50 points, we felt we more points on the field because of opportunities we didn't finish. That's the reality of knockout rugby – when you create chances, you need to take them.”

“We have a number of young players who are still growing in the game and tournaments like this are invaluable for their development.”

England qualified for the semi-finals with an unbeaten run and topping Pool C with victories over Ireland (34-27), USA (68-40) and Argentina (40-38), also finishing the pool stages with a full complement of 15 log points.

Currie expects another fiercely contested encounter between the two traditional age-group rivals: “England are a world-class side. We've had some excellent battles against them over the years and whenever you play England the intensity and execution go to another level.”

The other semi-final will feature France and New Zealand, meaning the four most successful nations in tournament history have reached the final four.

Kick-off in the match between France and New Zealand is at 4pm (SAST) at the Avchala Stadium, and that will be followed by the Junior Boks’ meeting with England U20 from 6.30pm (SAST). Both matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Junior Boks’ fixtures and results

27 June v Uruguay (SA won 104-7)

2 July v Georgia (SA won 33-5)

7 July v Wales (SA won 52-33)

Play-offs

13 July, Semi-final v England

17-18 July: Ranking play-offs and final

Junior Boks’ 2026 World Junior Championship squad

Props: Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers), Rambo Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Jooste (DHL Stormers), Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers), Luan van der Berg (Vodacom Bulls).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Jaythen Orange (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), JD Hattingh (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).

Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Vodacom Bulls), Risima Khosa (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Luke Cannon (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Wasi Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vuyo Gwiji (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Gert Kemp (DHL Stormers).

Utility forward: Thomas Beling (Vodacom Bulls).

Scrumhalves: Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Jayden Brits (DHL Stormers).

Flyhalf: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers).

Centres: Ethan Adams (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Stormers), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers).

Outside and utility backs: Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), Jack Benade (DHL Stormers), Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Stormers), Akahluwa Boqwana (Vodacom Bulls), Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).

Team management

Kevin Foote – Head coach

Lumumba Currie – Assistant coach

Melusi Mthethwa – Assistant coach

Barend Pieterse – Coaching consultant

Zingi Hela – Team manager

Dr Clement Plaatjies – Team doctor

Warren Adams – Head of athletic performance

Farhaanah Nagia – Physiotherapist

Robin Williams – Physiotherapist

Rayaan Adriaanse – Media and PR manager

Zwonaka Mbedzi – Technical analyst

Franklin van Wyk – Logistics manager