South Africa A national rugby union team
| Union | South African Rugby Union | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) |
Springboks, Springbokke, Boks, Bokke, Amabokoboko | ||
| Emblem(s) | the Springbok and the Protea | ||
| Coach(es) | Johan Ackermann | ||
| Captain(s) | Juan de Jongh | ||
| |||
South Africa A, also formerly referred to as the Junior Springboks or the Emerging Springboks, are the third national rugby union team in South Africa after the national side and the national sevens team. Before 2018, it had also been under the South Africa Under-20 team in the country's rugby hierarchy, but World Rugby changed its regulations to prohibit member unions from designating an under-20 national team as its second 15-a-side team.
They competed in the Nations Cup in 2007 and 2008 alongside the full national teams of Namibia, Romania and Georgia as well as Argentina Jaguars and Italy A. They also sporadically play touring sides such as the British and Irish Lions.
The team is made up of players of all ages and is not necessarily a junior side. The selection criterion vary, and it has been used most recently to give potential Springboks a taste of international rugby or to give experienced Springboks playing time to improve fitness or form.
Current squad
On 23 May 2017, it was announced that Lions head coach Johan Ackermann would coach the South Africa 'A' squad in their two-match series against the touring French Barbarians. The 26-man squad below was named for the series.[1] Lwazi Mvovo and Seabelo Senatla were subsequently called-up in place of Jamba Ulengo (injured) and Lionel Mapoe (called up to the Springbok squad) respectively.
| South Africa 'A' squad | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props Hookers Locks |
Loose Forwards Scrum-halves Fly-halves |
Centres Wingers Fullbacks |
See also
References
- ↑ "SA 'A' squad named for French Barbarians". SA Rugby Magazine. 23 May 2017. Archived from the original on 24 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.