Damian Willemse included in SA U20 squad for World Champs

Stormers flyhalf Damian Willemse has been included in a 35-man Junior Bok training squad ahead of the 2018 World Rugby Under-20 Championship that kicks off in France next month.

Willemse will attend the first week of the camp but will not participate in the warm-up game against Georgia. The 19-year-old will join the rest of the squad on Monday after attending the first day of the Springbok alignment camp in Vanderbijlpark on Sunday.

The Junior Bok group also includes Muller du Plessis, who will report for duty following his return from this weekend’s Hong Kong leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series.

The SA U20s have been drawn in Pool C at the U20 Championship with Georgia, Ireland and France, and will kick off their campaign against Georgia on 30 May.

Players invited to Junior Bok training camp (9-25 April):

Forwards: Keagan Glade, Leon Lyons, Nkosikhona Masuku, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Sazi Sandi, Alulutho Tshakweni, Tiaan van der Merwe, PJ Botha, Schalk Erasmus, Daniel Jooste, Ben-Jason Dixon, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje, PJ Steenkamp, Ruan Vermaak, Phendulani Buthelezi, Ryno Pieterse, JC Pretorius, Dian Schoonees, Muller Uys

Backs: Jack Hart, Rewan Kruger, Zak Bur, Lubabalo Dobela, Damian Willemse, Lyle Hendricks, Rikus Pretorius, Manuel Rass, Wandisile Simelane, Muller du Plessis, Tyrone Green, David Kriel, Gianni Lombard, Sihle Njezula, Abner van Reenen.