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Youngsters Canan Moodie and Sacha Mngomezulu are among United Rugby Championship (URC) experienced players picked for the Junior Boks' Six Nations Summer Series in Italy later this month.
The competition will be staged from 24 June to 12 July.
Together with locks Reinhardt Ludwig, Connor Evans as well as scrumhalf Nico Steyn and loose forward Ruan Venter, they make up a contingent of players who have all have gained some valuable URC experience in the last few months.
These six players, as well as several others, have also featured for their provincial unions in the Currie Cup, while Mngomezulu, Ludwig, Moodie, Steyn, Ethan James and Siya Ningiza (loose forward) all played for the Junior Springboks in last year’s successful U20 International Series in South Africa.
"I believe we have a well-balanced and competitive squad," said Junior Boks head coach Bafana Nhleko.
"We are grateful for the domestic Under-20 competition earlier this year that gave us an opportunity see the players and select the Academy group. We have a few guys who have gained valuable experience in the senior ranks, as well as a number of returnees from last year’s programme.
"Putting in the hard work on the training field is one thing, but actually playing in real matches, especially against experienced senior players, provides even better preparation."
A final training exercise against Maties in Stellenbosch is planned for Thursday, and squad will remain at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport until their departure to Italy in two weeks’ time.
The Junior Boks will open their Summer Series commitments against England on Friday, 24 June, and that will be followed by their second match on Wednesday, 29 June against Ireland.
The South Africans will complete their pool fixtures on Tuesday, 5 July against France before playing a final cross-pool fixture one week later, on Tuesday, 12 July, with their opponent to be determined according to the final standings.
Props: Lamla Nunu (DHL WP), Corné Lavagna (Vodacom Bulls), Juann Else (Vodacom Bulls), Corné Weilbach (DHL WP), Sebastian Lombard (Vodacom Bulls), Sivu Mabece (Vodacom Bulls)
Hookers: Lukhanyo Vokozela (DHL WP), Tiaan Lange (Vodacom Bulls)
Locks: Reinhardt Ludwig (Vodacom Bulls), Corné Rahl (Cell C Sharks), Connor Evans (DHL WP), Merwe Olivier (Vodacom Bulls)
Loose forwards: Ruan Venter (Sigma Lions), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Siya Ningiza (Cell C Sharks), Gcino Mdletshe (Vodacom Bulls), Paul de Villiers (DHL WP), Louw Nel (DHL WP)
Scrumhalves: Nico Steyn (Sigma Lions), Neil le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Imad Khan (DHL WP)
Flyhalves: Sacha Mngomezulu (DHL WP), Compion von Ludwig (Vodacom Bulls)
Centres: Carlton Banies (Vodacom Bulls), Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL WP), Ethan James (DHL WP)
Outside backs: Donovan Don (Griffons), Katlego Letebele (Vodacom Bulls), Duran Koevort (DHL WP), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls)
The pools and fixtures are (SA kick-off times):
Pool A (based at Payanini Center, Verona)
France, Ireland, England, South Africa
Round 1 - 24 June
17:00: Junior Boks v England
20:00: France v Ireland
Round 2 - 29 June
17:00: France v England
20:00: Junior Boks v Ireland
Round 3 - 5 July
17:00: Junior Boks v France20:00: Ireland v England
Pool B (based at Stadio Di Monigo, Treviso)
Scotland, Wales, Italy, Georgia
Round 1 - 25 June
17:00: Scotland v Wales20:00: Italy v Georgia
Round 2 - 30 June
17:00: Wales v Georgia20:00: Scotland v Italy
Round 3 - 6 July
17:00: Scotland v Georgia20:00: Italy v Wales
Cross-pool playoffs - 12 July (proposed kick-off times):
12:30: Match 1 (4th Pool A vs 4th Pool B)
15:00: Match 2 (3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool B)
17:30: Match 3 (2nd Pool A vs 2nd Pool B)
20:00: Match 4 (1st Pool A vs 1st Pool B)
