Excitement is building in Châteauroux, France, as the South African U19 Academy rugby team gears up to face France U19 in a high-stakes international clash on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton, a dynamic lock and proven leader, will steer a squad brimming with talent and recent championship pedigree. The match, set to kick off at 14:30 local time (15:30 South African time), is more than just another fixture on the rugby calendar—it’s a showcase of emerging stars, a tribute to Springbok legend Siya Kolisi, and a curtain raiser for a blockbuster Test later that evening between France and the Springboks in Paris.
For Norton and his teammates, the journey to Châteauroux has been anything but ordinary. The squad features four other players from the Junior Boks’ World Rugby U20 Championship-winning team: Oliver Reid (prop), Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), and Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (prop, named among the replacements). Their presence injects both experience and a winning mentality into the side, raising expectations among fans and coaches alike.
Preparation for this European tour began with a flurry of activity back home in Stellenbosch. The SA U19s had just a week to gel as a unit before flying out to Paris, but head coach Kevin Foote is confident in the group’s cohesion and adaptability. Speaking about the selection process for Saturday’s 26-man match day squad—a number agreed upon by both teams—Foote explained, “It’s always challenging with such a talented group, but there were three things we considered when selecting the group. The first thing was that we tracked the guys the whole year, in the FNB Varsity Cup and the SA Rugby U21 and U19 provincial competitions. We’ve also seen how they have committed to our programme and how they have settled down and fitted into how we want to play, and what our culture is. And then, of course, we took into consideration their performances in our ‘friendly match’ against France on Monday.”
That friendly, a combined field session with the French U19 squad at the French High-Performance Centre in Marcoussis, gave both teams a valuable taste of what’s to come. It also allowed the South Africans to acclimatize to French conditions and measure themselves against their upcoming opponents. The session was more than a warm-up—it was a chance to forge new combinations, test strategies, and build camaraderie in a foreign land.
Coach Foote is under no illusions about the significance of Saturday’s encounter. “We are looking forward to Saturday’s occasion, which will see a clash between two teams who are very proud to represent their country,” he noted. “We want to play well for our country and play well for Siya, in particular, for appearing in his 100th Test for the Springboks; and we want to honour him with our performance.”
Indeed, the timing of the match adds an extra layer of meaning. As the U19s take the field in Châteauroux, anticipation will be mounting in Paris for Springbok captain Siya Kolisi’s 100th Test appearance at the iconic Stade de France. The young South Africans have made it clear—they intend to deliver a performance worthy of the milestone, both for their captain and for the nation watching back home.
The squad’s makeup is a testament to the depth of South African rugby’s youth pipeline. Alongside Norton, Reid, Mnebelele, Moyo, and Kubheka, the starting fifteen features players from some of the country’s most storied provincial teams: Akahluwa Boqwana and Lindsey Jansen from the Vodacom Bulls, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga and Vusi Moyo from the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Pieter van der Merwe (vice-captain), Dylan Miller, Reuben Kruger, Aiden de Costa, Danie Kruger, and Tom Barnard from DHL Western Province, and Elgernon Meyer, JD Hattingh, Vuyo Gwiji, and Risima Khosa from the Fidelity ADT Lions. The replacements’ bench is equally stacked, ensuring impact and fresh legs when the contest heats up.
Saturday’s match is also notable for its fanfare and support. Local organizers have confirmed that more than 7,000 tickets have already been sold—a testament to the appetite for top-level youth rugby in France and the draw of South Africa’s next generation of stars. The fixture promises to be a lively affair, with both teams eager to assert their dominance and set the tone for future encounters.
Looking ahead, the SA U19 Academy team won’t have much time to rest. Their European tour continues next week with a highly anticipated match against Ireland in Cork. The back-to-back challenges present a valuable opportunity for the squad to test their mettle against northern hemisphere opposition, refine their game plan, and build momentum heading into the South African rugby season.
But for now, all eyes are on Châteauroux. The players know what’s at stake—not just a win, but the chance to represent their country with pride, to honor a Springbok centurion, and to prove themselves on an international stage. The blend of seasoned youth internationals and hungry newcomers makes for a potent mix, and coach Foote’s emphasis on culture, commitment, and combinations could be the difference-maker when the whistle blows.
“We have a lot of data on the players, and we think combinations are important, plus we are building on those combinations all the time,” Foote remarked. That analytical approach, combined with the emotional motivation of playing for Kolisi and the Springbok legacy, has set the scene for what should be a memorable afternoon of rugby.
As the countdown continues, the South African U19 Academy team stands ready to take on France, with the hopes of a nation—and the eyes of the rugby world—firmly fixed on their every move. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, this is one youth rugby showdown you won’t want to miss.
The action kicks off at 14:30 local time in Châteauroux, with more than 7,000 supporters expected to fill the stands. The stage is set, the players are primed, and the legacy of South African rugby is in safe hands. With the Springboks’ centurion milestone looming in Paris, the U19s have every reason to leave it all on the field. The tour rolls on, but for now, it’s all about Saturday’s clash—a true celebration of youth, skill, and the enduring spirit of the game.
