Senkie picked for Baby Boks squad
Boksburg and Free State Cheetahs wing Musolwa Mafuma was on Tuesday (May 10) named as part of the final 28 players for the Junior Springbok squad.
The Baby Boks will compete at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Manchester, England, from June 7 to 25.
The squad, which was named by Junior Springbok coach Dawie Theron, includes two survivors who were part of the Baby Boks team that finished third at the international jamboree in Italy last year – centre JT Jackson and scrumhalf Marco Jansen van Vuren.
Former EG Jansen Craven Week captain and Blue Bulls lock Hendre Stassen misses out because of an ill-timed ankle injury.
The Baby Boks will open their championship account against Japan on Tuesday, June 7 at the Academy Stadium, before clashing with Argentina four days later at the AJ Bell Stadium.
An encounter against France on June 15 back at the Academy Stadium will conclude their pool stage.
“It’s an exciting feeling knowing that you are part of 28 of the best junior players in the country,” said Musolwa, fondly known as Senkie in the rugby fraternity.
“It’s like a dream that was never dreamt but now I’m actually living it and counting every moment as joyous.
“It is awesome to know I’m going to be in front of millions of people who support you. It’s a feeling that gives me confidence to await that moment and be ready when it comes.”
Senkie is set to earn his first international cap at the showpiece and his immediate personal mission is clear: “To bring the trophy back with me when I come back,” he enthused.
Quizzed about the atmosphere in the camp as preparations enter the business end, the wing responded: “The intensity, work rate just got higher as the squad is shortened.
“It requires more focus for these last two weeks and we will be ready to go.
“We are also working on team spirit and unity so that we represent the country as a nation but not as individuals.”
The Baby Boks, who’ve finished in the top three at the tournament in the last three years after winning it on home soil in 2012, will be among the favourites to hoist the coveted trophy.
Standing in the way are reigning champion New Zealand and England, who beat the Baby Boks in the 2014 final before finishing as runners-up last year.
