Rambo Kubheka will captain the Junior Springboks against Uruguay as South Africa begin their World Rugby Junior Championship title defence in Tbilisi.
The experienced prop has been promoted to lead the side for Saturday’s Pool A opener, with squad captain Siphosethu Mnebelele named on the bench. The switch gives Kevin Foote a blunt front-row anchor from the start, while still keeping Mnebelele available for the closing stages.
Foote leans into depth from day one
SA Rugby confirmed the team on Thursday, with Liam van Wyk and Luan van der Berg joining Kubheka in the front row and Jaythen Orange partnering JD Hattingh at lock. Behind them, Risima Khosa, Gert Kemp and Vuyo Gwiji form a loose trio built for early control.
Alzeadon Felix starts at fly-half in the absence of suspended Yaqeen Ahmed, while Blitzbok international Luan Giliomee has been selected at full-back. Cheswill Jooste, part of last year’s title-winning group, is listed among the replacements after arriving late from URC duty.
Foote’s selection underlines the same depth theme that has already shaped South Africa’s senior window, covered in our recent Springboks Nations Championship squad analysis.
Why Uruguay matters immediately
South Africa enter the tournament as defending champions, but Pool A also contains Wales, Georgia and Uruguay. World Rugby’s pool preview framed the group as one of the sharper early tests in Georgia, and Foote has made rotation part of the first selection conversation rather than a later adjustment.
That is why Kubheka’s captaincy carries weight beyond the armband. South Africa need a clean launch, but they also need to protect a squad expected to handle a four-week title defence. Read more on the Junior Boks’ broader campaign context in our Junior Springboks title defence piece.
Sources: SA Rugby, World Rugby.
