The Junior Boks’ clash against Argentina kicks off at 16h10 and will be preceded by the tournament opener between Australia and New Zealand at 14h00 [Gqeberha, South Africa local time]. The SANZAAR U20 Rugby Championship will feature the best young talent from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina.
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 16h10 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.
The Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote 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.”
Junior Springbok side to take on Argentina U20 in Gqeberha:
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 (captain)
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
Los Pumitas team to play against South Africa:
1 FARIAS CERIONI, Benjamín (Universitario R.C – Unión de Rugby de Tucumán)
2 CAMBIASSO, Nicolás (Buenos Aires – URBA)
3 SALINAS MEALLA, Bautista (Los Tordos R.C – Unión de Rugby de Cuyo)
4 ANNAND, Jeremy (Belgrano Athletic – URBA)
5 PONZIO, Agustín (CRAI – Unión Santafesina de Rugby)
6 DANDE, Tomás (Huirapuca R.C – Unión de Rugby de Tucumán) (C)
7 PASCUAL VIALE, Joaquín (Alumni – URBA)
8 CAÑAS, Basilio (CAE – Unión Entrerriana de Rugby)
9 ZABELLA, Ignacio (Universitario R.C – Unión de Rugby de Rosario)
10 GIANNANTONIO, Manuel (Tala R.C – Unión Cordobesa de Rugby)
11 TANONI, Mateo (Jockey – Unión de Rugby de Rosario)
12 COLL, Pedro (Tigres R.C – Unión de Rugby de Salta) (VC)
13 FERNÁNDEZ, Ramón (Hindu – URBA)
14 KELLER, Constantino (Córdoba Athletic – Unión Cordobesa de Rugby)
15 AVACA, Luciano (Tala R.C – Unión Cordobesa de Rugby)
replacement: 16 CUNEO CAMARGO, Manuel (San Juan R.C – Unión Sanjuanina de Rugby)
, 17 CEBRON, Fabrizio (Regatas Bella Vista – URBA)
, 18 NARVÁEZ, Federico (Atlético del Rosario – Unión de Rugby de Rosario)
, 19 SORONDO, Jerónimo (Belgrano Athletic – URBA)
, 20 TORRE, Federico (Córdoba Athletic – Unión Cordobesa de Rugby)
, 21 PREUMAYR, Juan (Jockey Club de Rosario – Unión de Rugby de Rosario)
, 22 ORDIZ, Benjamín (Los Caranchos – Unión de Rugby de Rosario)
, 23 PFISTER, Simón (Tucumán R.C – Unión de Rugby de Tucumán)
The New Zealand Men’s Under 20 team has been named for their opening match of the Under 20 Rugby Championship, where they will face Australia in Gqerberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa.
With a mix of experience and new talent, this clash marks the beginning of New Zealand’s campaign to defend the Under 20 Rugby Championship title.
New Zealand Under 20 team v Australia Under 20:
1 Henry Stuart (Highlanders, Otago)
2 Josh Findlay (Crusaders, Canterbury)
3 Dane Johnston (Chiefs, Taranaki)
4 Max Fale (Crusaders, Canterbury)
5 Jake Frost (Crusaders, Canterbury)
6 Finn McLeod (Crusaders, Canterbury)
7 Caleb Woodley (Blues, Auckland)
8 Patrick Mauga (Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay)
9 Charlie Sinton (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
10 Mika Muliaina (Highlanders, Southland)
11 Siale Pahulu (Blues, Auckland)
12 Haki Wiseman (Chiefs, Taranaki)
13 David Lewai (Chiefs, Waikato)
14 Oliver Guerin (Chiefs, Waikato)
15 Cohen Norrie (Blues, Auckland)
Replaements: 16. Luka Patumaka Makata (Blues, Auckland), 17. Ethan Webber (Highlanders, Otago), 18. Alexander Hewitt (Hurricanes, Wellington), 19. John Falloon (Hurricanes, Wellington), 20. Micah Fale (Chiefs, Waikato), 21. Jackson Hughan (Highlanders, Southland), 22. Jay Reihana (Highlanders, Southland), 23. Logan Williams (Crusaders, Canterbury)
Australia U20 head coach Chris Whitaker has named his twenty-three to take on New Zealand U20 in the opening match of the 2026 Rugby Championship.
The Australia U20s are coming off two wins to start their season after defeating Fiji U20 and Japan U23 at the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby earlier this month.
Queensland Reds flanker Tom Robinson will lead the side out for the second consecutive game as captain.
Australia U20 team list v New Zealand U20:
1. Jacob Job
2. Ewald Kruger
3. Edwin Langi
4. Will Ross
5. Isaac Fonua
6. Tom Robinson (c)
7. Marshall Le Maitre
8. Eli Langi
9. Angus Grover
10. Finn Mackay
11. Cooper Watters
12. Frankie Goldsbrough
13. Leo Jaques
14. Riley Whitfeld
15. Louis Fenwicke
Replacements: 16. Tyler Maybery, 17. Harper Strachan, 18. Jonah Rangiwai, 19. Kenneth Harris, 20. Cooper Eagle, 21. Sam Blank, 22. Jonty Fowler, 23. Taione Taka
