This follows a short break after their recent successful short tour of Georgia, where they clinched a 2-0 series victory against the hosts. The SA U20s are now gearing up for their next assignment – the Under-20 Rugby Championship next month, followed by the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy in June and July.

Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote described the atmosphere in the camp as exciting, with the enthusiasm palpable as they forward to the Rugby Champs and forthcoming training matches against the Vodacom Bulls U21s and the Hamiltons club side over the next two weekends.

“There’s always a lot of excitement when the boys know they will play rugby,” said Foote.

“I am also very grateful for the new players who have come into the squad, as they have brought some extra energy.”

The SA U20 coach also highlighted the vibrant rugby environment in Stellenbosch, with the recently completed North-South Schools Rugby Festival and the business end of the FNB Varsity Cup adding to the buzz.

North-South is one of South Africa's premier schools rugby events, and was hosted at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch for the first time. The Junior Bok training base, the Stellenbosch Academy of Sports (SAS) is just across the Eerste River from the Markötter Stadium, where the festival was held.

“It’s excellent to have the North-South Festival on our doorstep in Stellenbosch and the business end of the FNB Varsity Cup looming – there is a lot of banter and energy as the guys support their former schools,” Foote added.

The training focus has shifted significantly, with an emphasis on increased intensity and fitness: “We are training now with a much more intense rate, and fitness is one of our key focus areas for this block.

“We are training with a lot of speed and physicality. The players are also concentrating on set pieces and game management, crucial aspects of their preparation.

“This block, we are looking a lot at our contact, intensity, and discipline, which are such big factors in rugby these days,” he added.

Foote is pleased with the team's progress and development, emphasising that they have not taken a step back since their Georgian tour.

“We haven’t taken a step back; the guys are getting closer, and it’s great to see them develop as a squad,” said Foote.

“We have a better understanding of how we want to play, although there still a lot of work to be done on the training pitch.”

Foote also highlighted the smooth transition into the new training block, maintaining the momentum from their recent tour: “It’s great that we have leapt straight into our new training chapter without taking any steps back from the Georgian tour, which was a great learning experience for us all.”

Understandably, the Junior Bok hopefuls are eagerly anticipating the two forthcoming tournaments and Foote said they are excited and grateful for what’s coming: “Our focus is on real intensity, speed, physicality, set pieces, and match management. The U20 Rugby Championship will be a really good and exciting challenge.”