The Vodacom Blue Bulls have named a Currie Cup squad brimming with world champion Junior Springboks and emerging talent.

No fewer than six players from the Junior Springboks team that lifted the World Rugby U20 Championship trophy, have cracked the final squad for the 2025 Carling Currie Cup, as head coach Phiwe Nomlomo puts his faith in the next generation.

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The Junior Boks in Bulls colours this season are Esethu Mnebelele, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Jean Erasmus, JJ Theron, Cheswill Jooste and Demitre Erasmus.

Adding even more steel to the youthful spine of the squad are Springboks Marvin Orie and Lizo Gqoboka, with Nizaam Carr and Aphiwe Dyantyi currently on the injured list.

A further 10 players are under the age of 21, with many having come through the club’s junior pathways. In fact, over half of the match-fit squad is drawn from club and U21 rugby.

Flanker Nama Xaba, a former SA U20 rep himself, will lead the team into battle as captain.

“This is a great opportunity for the players to go out and do their best — for themselves and for the jersey,” said Nomlomo ahead of their Currie Cup opener against Western Province in Cape Town.

He added that incoming URC coach Johan Ackermann will be watching the Currie Cup campaign closely as he assesses the depth at Loftus.

“They’ve put in the work. There’s massive competition for places, so I’m looking forward to what unfolds,” said Nomlomo.

Forwards:
Abri van der Westhuysen, Cassie Badenhorst, Dylan de Leeuw, Dylan Smith, Esethu Mnebelele, Francois Klopper, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Jean Erasmus, Jeandre Rudolph, JJ Theron, Joe van Zyl, Junior Pokomela, Lizo Gqoboka, Marco Ferreira, Marvin Orie, Nama Xaba (captain), Ruan Swart, Shaun Schurmann, Sintu Manjezi

Backs:
Boeta Chamberlain, Brooklyn Newmann, Cheswill Jooste, Chris Barend Smit, Daimon O’Connell, Demitre Erasmus, Henry Immelman, Jaco van der Walt, Katlego Letebele, Liam Koen, PA van Niekerk, Riyaad Bam, Stedman Gans, Steven Nel, Stravino Jacobs, Zak Burger

Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images