The Vodacom Blue Bulls have named a Currie Cup squad brimming with world champion Junior Springboks and emerging talent.

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 19: Nizaam Carr (c) of the Vodacom Blue Bulls gives a pass during the Carling Currie Cup, Premier Division match between Vodacom Bulls and Toyota Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on July 19, 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)

No fewer than six of the players who starred for the Junior Springboks in winning the U-20 World Championship and four Springboks are among those named today in coach Phiwe Nomlomo’s Vodacom Bulls squad for the Carling Currie Cup.

The robust health of the club’s junior pathways is further reflected in another 10 players being under 21, which signals both ambition and confidence on the part of Nomlomo and his coaching team.

Thus, more than 50% of the squad (excluding the injured list) is comprised of club and U21 players.

Former SA U20 player Nama Xaba, a flanker, will captain the side this season.

Ahead of this weekend’s start against Western Province in Cape Town, Nomlomo hailed South African rugby’s oldest competition as a “great opportunity for the players to go out and do their best for themselves and the jersey”.

He said he was excited that incoming Vodacom Bulls URC coach Johan Ackermann would be able to see the Currie Cup squad firsthand and to run the rule over the depth at Loftus Versfeld.

“They’ve put in the work,” said Nomlomo, who is under no illusions as to the strength of the competition. “There’s massive competition for places, so I’m looking forward to what unfolds.”

The world champion Junior Boks who will wear Vodacom Bulls colours are Esethu Mnebelele, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Jean Erasmus, JJ Theron, Cheswill Jooste and Demitre Erasmus.

Vodacom Bulls Carling Currie Cup squad

Forwards: Abri vd Westhuysen; Cassie Badenhorst; Dylan de Leeuw; Dylan Smith; Esethu Mnebelele; Francois Klopper; Jacobus Grobbelaar; Jean Erasmus; Jeandre Rudolph; JJ Theron; Joe van Zyl; Junior Pokomela; Lizo Gqoboka; Marco Ferreira; Marvin Orie; Nama Xaba (captain); Ruan Swart; Shaun Schurmann; Sintu Manjezi.

Backs: Boeta Chamberlain; Brooklyn Newmann; Cheswill Jooste; Chris Barend Smit; Daimon O’Connell; Demitre Erasmus; Henry Immelman; Jaco vd Walt; Katlego Letebele; Liam Koen; PA van Niekerk; Riyaad Bam; Stedman Gans; Steven Nel; Stravino Jacobs; Zak Burger.

Injured: Aphiwe Dyantyi; Celimpilo Gumede; Corne Beets; Cornel Smit; Heinrich Theron; Juann Else; Khutha Mchunu; Nizaam Carr; Simphiwe Matanzima.