South Africa's Under-20 rugby coach Dawie Theron on Thursday said he would like to see the SA U20s play in a Tri-nations series with Australia and New Zealand in future.
Theron’s squad will depart for Buenos Aires on Sunday March 13, for friendly matches against Argentina U20s on March 19 and 24, and a match against an Argentinean XV on March 16.
“If the guys can play in a Tri-nations or even a four nations series with a double round it would prepare them for the next step in international rugby,” he explained.
Despite a lack of international warm-up matches Theron is confident the team will be ready for the IRB Junior World Championships in Italy in June.
He believes the tour to Argentina will be an excellent opportunity for his players to get international experience.
“The players will get a lot of international exposure as we are going to a remote part of Argentina and they will get to a point where they will have to rely on each other.
“We will come back as a much better force.”
The Baby Boks are touring with a squad of 31 players and Theron hopes to select his final 26-man squad sooner rather than later.
“Our intentions are to identify the core group of players that will compete at those Championships as soon as we can.
“At the same time, we are not excluding those individuals who excel in the domestic South African competitions. They could also be rewarded with selection to our future squads.”
Theron also confirmed the inclusion of Western Province flank Siya Kolisi and prop Steven Kitshoff.
The two forwards have been part of the Stormers’ Super Rugby training squad, but were released earlier this week to join the Baby Boks on their two-week training camp of South America.
The SA U20 touring squad assembled in Johannesburg on Thursday in preparation for their departure to Buenos Aires on Sunday.
SA U20 Tour fixtures: March 16, SA U20s v Argentina XV March 19, SA U20s v Argentina U20s March 24, SA U20s v Argentina U20s Updated SA U20 Touring Squad:
Fullbacks: Ulrich Beyers (Blue Bulls), Riaan Britz, (Free State) Wings: Wandile Mjekevu (Lions), Emil Schwarz (The Sharks), Courtnall Skosan (Blue Bulls), Sizo Maseko (Western Province) Centres: Francois Venter, Bradley Moolman (Blue Bulls), Micheal van der Spuy (Western Province) Flyhalves: Johan Goosen (Free State),John Welthagen (Leopards), Tony Jantjies (Blue Bulls) Scrumhalves: Ricky Schroeder (Western Province), Kevin Luiters (Free State) Loose forwards: Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr (Western Province), Francois Kleinhans (The Sharks), Cornell du Preez (Leopards), Arno Botha (Blue Bulls), Jean Cook (Free State). Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Western Province), Carl Wegner (Free State), Jose Julies (Blue Bulls), Wilhelm van der Sluys (Western Province) Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi (Blue Bulls), Micheal van Vuuren (Eastern Province) Props: Steven Kitshoff (Western Province), Juan Schoeman (Blue Bulls), Jon Roy Jenkins (Platinum Leopards), Nicholas Schonnet (The Sharks), Stephan Kotze (Free State) – Sapa