Foote adjusts Junior Bok squad for JWC final

Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote made three changes to the side that defeated England in the Junior World Championship semi-final for Saturday’s final against France in Tbilisi. The decider at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium kicked off at 18h30 (SA time) and was broadcast live on SuperSport.
This marked the first time South Africa and France met in the final of the global U20 tournament. The Junior Boks produced a commanding second-half display to overcome England and secured a second consecutive appearance in the final, while France edged New Zealand in a tense semi-final courtesy of a late breakaway try.

Foote made just two adjustments to his forward pack, both in the loose trio. Wasi Vyambwera started at No 8, with Gert Kemp moving to the bench where he was expected to provide impact later in the contest. Risima Khosa started at flanker. The experienced front-row combination of Oliver Reid, SA U20 captain Siphosethu Mnebelele, and Danie Kruger anchored the scrum, while Heinrich Theron and JD Hattingh continued their successful partnership in the second row. In the loose trio, Luke Cannon joined Khosa and Vyambwera, providing a balanced combination of physicality, work rate, and attacking threat.

There was only one enforced change in the backline, with Alzeadon Felix coming in at fullback for Luan Giliomee, who received a red card in the semi-final. The settled halfback combination of Hendre Schoeman and Yaqeen Ahmed started, next to the midfield pairing of Ethan Adams and Markus Muller, while Khuthadzo Rashivhaga and Cheswill Jooste provided pace and finishing ability on the wings. Samuel Badenhorst joined Kemp among the replacements as part of the Junior Boks' bench, which featured six forwards and two backs.

The Junior Boks, champions in 2025 after defeating New Zealand in last year’s final, aimed to become the first South African side to win back-to-back world titles. Foote, who was in his second season at the helm of the Junior Boks, stated the squad had used the week effectively to prepare for a formidable French outfit. “This group has been together since the beginning of the year and they understand the way we want to play,” Foote remarked. “We have used this week to sharpen our readiness and focus on the areas where we felt we could improve.”

Foote praised the squad’s efforts throughout the tournament, crediting the entire group for earning a place in a second successive final: “The outstanding quality of this group is the bond they share and how much they enjoy representing South Africa. We are still reviewing our game and know we have room to keep pushing to get better.” Foote acknowledged France as a formidable side deserving of their place in the final.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s encounter, Foote stated the Junior Boks would remain true to their identity while ensuring tactical discipline. “We want to continue playing the South African way,” he emphasized. “That means using our physicality to create momentum, winning the gain-line battle, and playing with tempo and intensity.” The Junior Springbok team to face France in Tbilisi:

15 Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
14 Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls)
13 Markus Muller (DHL Stormers)
12 Ethan Adams (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
11 Khuthadzo Rashivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
10 Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers)
9 Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls)
8 Wasi Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
7 Luke Cannon (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
6 Risima Khosa (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
5 JD Hattingh (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
4 Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls)
3 Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers)
2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (captain, Vodacom Bulls)
1 Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers)

Replacements:
16 Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
17 Rambo Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
18 Luan van der Berg (Vodacom Bulls)
19 Jaythen Orange (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
20 Thomas Beling (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
21 Gert Kemp (DHL Stormers)
22 Jayden Brits (DHL Stormers)
23 Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Stormers)

Match information:
Date: Saturday, 18 July 2026
Venue: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi (Georgia)
Kick-off: 18h30 (SA time)
Referee: Reuben Keane
Broadcast: SuperSport