Double Rugby World Cup-winner and Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff urges Junior Boks players to emulate the class of 2012 and use the World Rugby U20 Championship as a springboard for their careers.
The highly-anticipated U20 Championship kicks off this weekend and will be played in Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
The last time South Africa hosted the tournament it was back in 2012 and it was the only time they managed to lift the title.
The 2012 class was made up of a bunch of wide-eyed but exceptionally talented youngsters, most of them who went on to have great careers and became household names in the sport.
That Junior Boks team had players such as Kitshoff, Handre Pollard, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jan Serfotein, Marvin Orie, Raymond Rhule and others.
Speaking to the current crop of the Junior Boks, Spicy Plum reminded them this could be their year to take their rugby careers to dizzy heights.
Steven Kitshoff speaking to the Junior Springboks as they gear up for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship on home soil 🗣️🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/X5kWi1ZN4D
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 25, 2024
“In 2012, I had the opportunity to play with legends such as Handre Pollard, and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who are modern-day rugby heroes in normal terms,” Kitsoff told the group.
“The amount of achievements that the group of 2012 achieved is unbelievable. So, it’s a big opportunity for you guys going into the next month or so to really put down the stamp, show your worth and make sure you get those big contracts at the unions.
“Just play, play for South Africa, play for each other, play for your families, your girlfriends, your moms or dads, your brothers and sisters,” he said.
“Just keep playing and play hard and prove yourself properly.”
South Africa are in Pool C alongside England, Fiji and Argentina.
Captained by Zachary Porthen, Junior Boks will kick off their campaign against the Fijians at DHL Cape Town Stadium at 19:00.
In their 13 appearances in the competition, SA only missed out on the podium two times when they finished fifth and fourth in 2011 and 2016. They have nine bronze medals and one silver.
The Hollywoodbets bookmakers have placed Junior Boks as the fifth choice for the tournament’s outright winner 4/1.
In their opening game against Fiji, betting odds are:
SA 1/33 | Draw 40/1 | Fiji 10/1
Meet the young talents representing South Africa at the U20 World Rugby Championship in Cape Town 🇿🇦🏉
— SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) June 14, 2024
More at the link here 👉: https://t.co/3fqSymG03K#Juniorboks#JourneyToGreatness pic.twitter.com/V8wzQwevDn
