Junior Springboks up for challenge
UNDER-20S KICK OFF AGAINST THE FRENCH Exciting Bosch may be one of the stars of the tournament.
Junior Springbok flyhalf Curwin Bosch says the team has settled in well in Tbilisi, Georgia, and are raring to go two days before their opening World Rugby Under-20 Championship match against France tomorrow.
The Junior Boks touched down in Tbilisi on Friday evening after a long journey via Istanbul, and they have adjusted well to the new city and the weather conditions.
Coach Chean Roux’s team have had a series of field and gym sessions since their arrival, and have settled into their normal training routine, while the spirits in the camp are high as the excitement builds ahead of the opening round. Roux will today announce his match 23 to face the French.
“We are feeling great,” said Bosch, who is one of eight players who participated in the 2016 edition of the tournament in Manchester, England last year.
“We have had a few good training sessions in the last few days and we are looking forward to the game. It was a long trip to Tbilisi, but we have recovered well and we are settled in, so our only focus now is on the first match against France.”
Bosch, who was one of the nominees for the World Rugby U20 Championship player of the tournament award last year, admitted that as with all national teams worldwide there was pressure on the players, but the Super Rugby player, who plays for the Sharks, said they would take each match in their stride.
“There is always pressure when you represent your country, but the guys are handling it well,” said Bosch.
“The important thing for us is to focus on our strengths rather than what France has to offer. So we are ready to go and we are looking forward to a great match.”
The Junior Boks will wrap up their match preparations today at their captain’s run. South Africa will face tournament hosts Georgia on Sunday and Argentina next Thursday in their remaining pool matches also at the Avchala Stadium.
The semifinals and final will be hosted on Tuesday, 13 June, and Sunday, 18 June, respectively at the M Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi.