Norton to lead Junior Boks against physical Los Pumitas

Riley Norton will lead the Junior Springboks in their 2026 Under-20 Rugby Championship opener against Argentina’s Los Pumitas on Monday, as they aim to make an immediate impact in front of their home crowd in Gqeberha.

The match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium starts at 4.10pm and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Norton, who led the SA U20s to the Junior World Championship title in Italy last year, will captain an exciting-looking side, with fellow 2025 JWC winners Rambo Kubheka (prop) also in the starting lineup, while Oliver Reid (prop) and Vusi Moyo (flyhalf) are primed to make an impact from the bench.

The Junior Boks’ match-23 is a blend of familiar faces who have been part of the squad set-up over the past few months, along with several promising players who featured for the successful SA U18 team last year.

Moyo returns to action after a hip injury ruled him out of the tour to Georgia earlier this year and he is set to provide cover from the replacements’ bench against a tenacious Los Pumitas outfit. Reid will also bring valuable experience when he enters the match.

FNB UCT wing Jack Benade has been rewarded for his form during the recently completed FNB Varsity Cup, as well as for impressing during the two-week training camp in Stellenbosch. He will wear the No 14 jersey, with Lindsey Jansen occupying the opposite wing.

With Markus Muller (inside centre) called up to the DHL Stormers camp, the Junior Boks’ midfield combination will now feature the powerful Ethan Adams at inside centre, partnered by Samuel Badenhorst on the outside.

Alzeadon Felix, an injury replacement at the global showpiece in Italy last year, will start at fullback to complete the back three, while Yaqeen Ahmed and Hendré Schoeman will form the halfback pairing, rounding off the starting backline.

Up front, Kubheka and Danie Kruger will pack down on either side of Liam van Wyk (hooker), while Norton will be partnered in the engine room by Heinrich Theron.

Luke Canon, Kebotile Maake and Thomas Beling form the loose trio combination, with the task of curbing the Argentine threat at the breakdown – an area where a fierce contest is expected between the two sides.

Reflecting on his matchday squad, Junior Bok head coach Kevin Foote said they are under no illusion what to expect from Argentina on Monday.

“They are known for their physicality and their solid set-piece, so we know we will have to steady ourselves for a very tough contest,” said Foote.

“Our recent contests have been very close – they played exceptionally well against us in this tournament last year and we had to dig very deep to overcome them in the semi-final of the World Championship last year in Italy.”

The Junior Bok coach said they enjoyed a warm welcome in the Friendly City along the Eastern Cape coast and were eager to make the people of the region proud with a good performance.

“Argentina, like the other southern hemisphere sides, prefer a high-tempo game with plenty of ball in play,” he said.

“They are a battle-hardened, tenacious outfit and we will have to work extremely hard throughout the contest if we want to impose ourselves.

“Our DNA is our physicality and we are looking forward to playing an exciting brand of rugby.”

Apart from Muller, the Junior Boks will also be without the services of Cheswill Jooste (wing, Vodacom Bulls) and Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback, Hollywoodbets Sharks), both of whom are on Vodacom United Rugby Championship duty.

Luan Giliomee (utility back) and Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker) are also unavailable for selection due to injury.

The Junior Boks’ clash against Argentina is preceded by the tournament opener between Australia and New Zealand at 2pm. The SANZAAR U20 Rugby Championship will feature the best young talent from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina.

Junior Springbok starting XV: 15 ⁠Alzeadon Felix, 14 ⁠Jack Benade, 13 ⁠Samuel Badenhorst, 12 ⁠Ethan Adams, 11 ⁠Lindsey Jansen; 10 ⁠Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 ⁠Hendré Schoeman; 8 ⁠Kebotile Maake, 7 ⁠Thomas Beling, 6 ⁠Luke Canon; ⁠5 Riley Norton (capt), 4 ⁠Heinrich Theron; 3 ⁠Danie Kruger, 2 ⁠Liam van Wyk, 1 Rambo Kubheka. Replacements: 16 ⁠Mahle Sithole, 17 ⁠Oliver Reid,18 ⁠Kai Pratt,19 ⁠JD Hattingh, 20 ⁠Risima Khosa, 21 ⁠Jayden Brits, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23. ⁠Khuthadzo Rasivhaga.

Fixtures

Monday, 27 April

2pm: New Zealand v Australia 4.10pm: Junior Boks v Argentina

Sunday, 3 May

2pm: New Zealand v Argentina 4.10pm: Junior Boks v Australia

Saturday, 9 May

2pm: Argentina v Australia 4.10pm: Junior Boks v New Zealand