Rambo Kubheka Relishes Honour of Leading Junior Springboks’ Title Defence in Georgia
A year ago, Junior Springbok prop Rambo Kubheka likely would not have imagined leading South Africa’s U20 team into the opening match of the Junior World Championship.
Now, in his second campaign with the side, Kubheka will captain the defending champions when they face Uruguay on Saturday in Tbilisi, Georgia. The match is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
Junior Boks Begin Title Defence
Kubheka was part of last year’s championship-winning squad under head coach Kevin Foote.
As one of the returning players, he is expected to play a major leadership role as the Junior Springboks begin their title defence.
Squad captain Siphosethu Mnebelele will start on the bench, while regular captain Riley Norton is currently with the senior Springbok squad. That opened the door for Foote to give the captaincy to Kubheka, the loosehead prop.
Kubheka described the opportunity as a blessing and a major honour. He said if someone had told him a year earlier that he would captain the team in their first match, he would have thought they were joking.
South Africa Focused on a Fresh Start
Although the Junior Boks enter the tournament as reigning champions, Kubheka said the team is not relying on last year’s success.
Foote has already suggested that he plans to rotate his squad across the three pool-stage matches, with fixtures against Georgia and Wales still to come over the next two weeks.
Kubheka said the team is approaching the competition with new goals and a clean slate. He added that the leaders want to set the tone through their actions and that having players who understand the responsibility makes his job as captain easier.
He also stressed that South Africa will respect every opponent and avoid taking any team lightly.
Junior Boks Without Norton and Moyo
South Africa will have to defend their title without two important players from last year’s campaign.
Riley Norton and flyhalf Vusi Moyo are both with the senior Springboks ahead of the Nations Championship, which begins next week.
Both players would have been valuable to the U20 side, but the Junior Boks must move forward without them.
Strong Team Named for Uruguay Clash
Foote has selected a near full-strength lineup for the opening match against Uruguay.
On paper, Uruguay may be considered the least difficult of South Africa’s three pool opponents. That makes the opener an important chance for the Junior Springboks to build confidence, rhythm and momentum before tougher challenges arrive.
Georgia Expected to Pose Physical Challenge
After Uruguay, the Junior Boks will face tournament hosts Georgia.
Foote said the team’s attention is fully on the first match, but he acknowledged that Georgia will be a serious challenge, especially after their recent victory over New Zealand.
He said Georgia have improved and will likely be stronger than the team South Africa previously faced, especially with overseas-based players returning.
Foote also pointed to Georgia’s passionate home crowd and said the match is expected to be emotional and physical.
Wales Await in Final Pool Match
The Junior Springboks will close their group campaign against Wales after facing Georgia.
With squad rotation expected, South Africa will need contributions across the full group as they aim to advance and defend their title.
Junior Springboks Starting Team
The Junior Springboks starting lineup against Uruguay is:
15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Jordan Steenkamp, 10 Alzeadon Felix, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Vuyo Gwiji, 7 Gert Kemp, 6 Risima Khosa, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Jaythen Orange, 3 Luan van der Berg, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Rambo Kubheka captain.
Replacements
The replacements are:
16 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 17 Jordan Jooste, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Thomas Beling, 20 Wasi Vyambwera, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Akahluwa Boqwana, 23 Cheswill Jooste.
Rambo Kubheka will lead the Junior Springboks into their Junior World Championship opener against Uruguay as South Africa begins its title defence in Georgia. With key players away on senior Springbok duty and challenging fixtures against Georgia and Wales ahead, the defending champions will look to start strongly and build momentum from the first match.