Junior Springboks test skills in tough workout against French Under-19s
The South African Under-19 Academy rugby side had a tough, full-contact training session with France U19 at Marcoussis ahead of their international friendly in Châteauroux on Saturday. Coach Kevin Foote praised the intensity and teamwork, highlighted strong performances in set pieces and backline plays, and noted the breakdown as an area for improvement.
Image: AAP, Scott Barbour
The South African Under-19 Academy side got a serious taste of international rugby on Monday afternoon, as they went through a demanding training session with their French counterparts at the French Rugby Federation’s High-Performance Centre in Marcoussis near Paris.
The intense workout comes ahead of the two sides’ international friendly, set for Saturday in Châteauroux, giving both teams an early look at what to expect. The session included technical drills, unit training, and a full-contact match simulation.
Forwards and backs worked separately at first, with the forwards focusing on scrums and lineouts while the backline ran attacking and defensive plays. The drills were followed by a full-scale live session, where both teams rotated their squads and tested their skills under real-game pressure.
Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote said he was pleased with the effort and intensity shown by his team. “The practice was really good for us. We could see the results of Lumumba Currie’s work with the forwards in our set pieces, mauls, and scrums,” Foote said. “Melusi Mthethwa had the chance to run backline plays against the French, and it got quite heated at one stage.
"There was a lot of passion, and both teams are clearly excited to represent their countries.”
Foote noted that the French side challenged the SA Under-19s particularly at the breakdown, highlighting an area for improvement. “They came with a lot of line speed, so we need to work on how we nullify that pressure. But overall, I’m very happy. The guys stuck together, we scored some great tries, defended well, and it’s a solid start to our French tour.”
The focus of the tour, Foote explained, is more than just winning on the field. “We want clarity in our game, understanding how we want to play, and building connections within the squad. We also want to enjoy the touring experience, make new friends, and we are grateful for the hospitality we’ve received here.”
The Junior Springboks are set to announce their lineup for Saturday’s international against France Under-19 on Thursday, as they look to build on the lessons from Monday’s tough but productive session.