Two Maties rugby players were recently called up to the 42-man Junior Springboks training squad.
This is according to Kevin Foote, head coach of the Junior Springboks.
Herman Lubbe and Zuko Poswa, both students at Stellenbosch University (SU), were invited to join the training squad on 20 March, said Lubbe (19), a prop for Maties and a second-year BScAgric (Animal Science) student.
The team gathered at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport on 24 March for their third training camp of the year, said Foote.
Zuko Poswa (19) (left) and Herman Lubbe (19) (right) warming up for Maties’ game against the University of Pretoria’s Tuks on 24 March. The pair recently made the Junior Springboks squad and will start official training with the team once Varsity Cup is over, said Lubbe, a prop for Maties and a second-year BScAgric (Animal Science) student. PHOTO: Annemieke Thomaidis
“[It is] an honour and a privilege to serve my country,” said Poswa (19), a lock for the Maties squad and a second-year BA (Sports Science) student.
Like Poswa, Lubbe takes pride in representing South Africa, but recognises that there is still a lot of work to do. While they are confirmed to be part of the training squad, the official team is yet to be selected, said Lubbe.
“Herman and Zuko are part of a very talented pool of players who are all competing to be included in the official Junior Bok squad,” said Foote. “They, like the rest of the squad, have shown dedication and resilience.”
The purpose of the training camp is to continue with preparations for the upcoming international season, which includes the World Rugby U20’s, to be hosted in Italy in June and July, said Foote.
Herman Lubbe (19), a second-year BScAgric (Animal Science) student and a prop for Maties, who played in the Varsity Cup team for the first time this year, said that he feels honoured to have been recognised by the Junior Springboks for all his hard work. PHOTO: Annemieke Thomaidis
SU a feeder for the international stage
The recent call-up of Lubbe and Poswa highlights how Stellenbosch Rugby continues to produce top talent, according to Drikus Hancke, the head of Maties Rugby at SU.
For Poswa and Lubbe, the high standard of physicality of Maties rugby, as well as the support and camaraderie of the club, played a key role in their growth as players.
“We do have a very values-based cultural philosophy,” said Hancke. “I think the biggest value for us, that we focus on a lot, is responsibility […] and respect.”
Zuko Poswa (19), a second-year BA (Sports Science) student and a lock for Maties, said that his goal in rugby is to play for the Stormers and, ultimately, the Springboks. “I think [with Lubbe and Poswa], what really stands out for me is their character,” said Drikus Hancke, head of Maties Rugby at Stellenbosch University. Hancke added that the pair embody values like dedication, discipline, and respect. PHOTO: Annemieke Thomaidis
Thus far, Maties Rugby “has produced 180 Springboks”, including the likes of Jordan Hendrikse, Grant Williams, Edwill van der Merwe, and Andre-Hugo Venter, making it “the most of any university club in South Africa”, said Hancke.
The training camp is expected to run until the end of April, at which point the squad for the World U20 Rugby Championship will be officially selected, said Rayaan Adriaanse, media manager for the Junior Springboks.