Blue Bulls scrumhalf joins SA u20 BabyBoks squad
Blue Bulls scrumhalf joins SA U20 squad
Vodacom Blue Bulls Under-19 scrumhalf Lohan Jacobs will join the SA Under-20 squad after DHL Western Province No.9 Ricky Schroeder was ruled out of next month’s IRB Junior World Championship in Italy due to injury.
The UCT Ikeys halfback fractured his leg during a field training session for his local club on the eve of the announcement of the SA U20 squad last week. He is expected to be sidelined for up to four months.
Jacobs, who represented the Baby Boks during last year’s IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina, will join the SA Under-20 squad currently in Jeffreys Bay later this week. He earned two international caps during the 2010 tournament after he competed in the semi-final against New Zealand and the bronze medal playoff game against England.
The national selectors have added Vodacom Blue Bulls centre Bradley Moolman to the 26-man squad. Moolman who represented the Pretoria team during Friday’s Vodacom Cup final against the Pampas XVs replaces MTN Lions fullback Jaco Taute who was not released by his province from Vodacom Super Rugby duty in Australasia.
“Firstly our hearts goes out to Ricky and we wish him a speedy recovery,” said SA U20 coach Dawie Theron.
“He has been part of our structures since this squad gathered in December last year, and I am sure he would be extremely disappointed at not fulfilling one of his goals for the year which was to represent his country at this IRB Junior World Championships. He is a good player with heaps of talent and potential. It’s our wish to see Ricky on the playing fields very soon.
“However this setback for Ricky allows Lohan, a close friend of Ricky, the opportunity at another World Champs. Lohan has been struggling from various injury niggles, but we are confident that he will be ready for another challenge and a shot at doing well at this tournament. He’s been there last year, knows what is expected, and has the burning desire to contribute to the success of the team.
“Our request was to have the complete squad that will be travelling to the IRB Junior World Championships next month at this final training camp in Jeffreys Bay. I am happy to confirm that this is the current situation, as we prepare for our final warm up friendly match against the EP Kings.”
The SA Under-20 squad that will be captained by Vodacom Blue Bulls loose forward Arno Botha are currently in camp in the Eastern Cape town of Jeffreys Bay. The Baby Boks will play the EP Kings on Thursday 19 May 2011 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth at 19h00 in their final match in preparation of next month’s IRB Junior World Championship in Italy.
Please note: The national selectors invited four players who will be on stand-by during the IRB Junior World Championship to the SA U20 camp in Jeffreys Bay. They are: Frans Malherbe, Siyabonga Ntubeni, Carl Wegner and Tony Jantjies.
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