Rising rugby talent Tango Balekile can’t wait to scrum down with some of the world’s best junior players after being included in the Junior Springbok World Cup U20 squad.
Former Selborne College hooker Balekile has been at the Eastern Province Kings for over a year, and was a part of the successful 2015 Absa U19 competition winning side.
He was part of the Junior Bok training camps that took place earlier this year and yesterday was selected to the 28-man touring squad that will take on the best junior rugby talent from around the world.
“I am very happy, it is something that I was hoping to happen and it is great to see that all the hard work has paid off,” said Balekile.
He is one of only two hookers in the tournament squad thus a lot will be resting on him from the outset.
“I think that with there being just two of us it will give me more of a drive to perform and I am excited for the opportunity,” he said.
“Having the backing of the coaching staff and the players makes it a lot easier to go out there and do our jobs.”
Balekile is also part of a strong EP Kings contingent that have made the final 28-man cut.
Centre Jeremy Ward will captain the side along with eighthman Junior Pokomela as vice-captain and they will be backed by fellow Kings players Keanu Vers (fullback), Nicolaas Oosthuizen (prop), James Hall (scrumhalf) and Balekile.
With them all having come through the Kings U19 setup last year and having won a major trophy together they will likely have a close-knit bond and that should make things easier for the Junior Boks,” said Balekile.
“It is always easier to play with people you know and it is something we want to bring into the Junior Bok setup and create new bonds,” admitted Balekile.
He will have plenty of support in East London where fans will be eagerly watching the progress of the team in England. Balekile’s mother Nontuthuzelo Zuba admitted how relieved she was when the team was finally confirmed.
“I have been excited the whole day,” she said.
“Last night I was restless because I knew they were going to cut another eight players, so I was so happy and relieved when he made it.”
First up for Balekile and the Junior Boks, however, will be a host of warm-up games for them to gear up for the international showpiece.
The team will take on the Xerox Golden Lions U19 and U21 teams on Friday before further games against Maties in Stellenbosch next week Tuesday and then their final match against the SWD Eagles in Oudtshoorn next week Saturday.
“We plan on using these games to create some confidence in our squad and get the momentum going so we can take it into the World Champs,” said Balekile.
The squad departs for the World Champs on June 2.
Tango does victory dance
Former Selborne College hooker Balekile has been at the Eastern Province Kings for over a year, and was a part of the successful 2015 Absa U19 competition winning side.
He was part of the Junior Bok training camps that took place earlier this year and yesterday was selected to the 28-man touring squad that will take on the best junior rugby talent from around the world.
“I am very happy, it is something that I was hoping to happen and it is great to see that all the hard work has paid off,” said Balekile.
He is one of only two hookers in the tournament squad thus a lot will be resting on him from the outset.
“I think that with there being just two of us it will give me more of a drive to perform and I am excited for the opportunity,” he said.
“Having the backing of the coaching staff and the players makes it a lot easier to go out there and do our jobs.”
Balekile is also part of a strong EP Kings contingent that have made the final 28-man cut.
Centre Jeremy Ward will captain the side along with eighthman Junior Pokomela as vice-captain and they will be backed by fellow Kings players Keanu Vers (fullback), Nicolaas Oosthuizen (prop), James Hall (scrumhalf) and Balekile.
With them all having come through the Kings U19 setup last year and having won a major trophy together they will likely have a close-knit bond and that should make things easier for the Junior Boks,” said Balekile.
“It is always easier to play with people you know and it is something we want to bring into the Junior Bok setup and create new bonds,” admitted Balekile.
He will have plenty of support in East London where fans will be eagerly watching the progress of the team in England. Balekile’s mother Nontuthuzelo Zuba admitted how relieved she was when the team was finally confirmed.
“I have been excited the whole day,” she said.
“Last night I was restless because I knew they were going to cut another eight players, so I was so happy and relieved when he made it.”
First up for Balekile and the Junior Boks, however, will be a host of warm-up games for them to gear up for the international showpiece.
The team will take on the Xerox Golden Lions U19 and U21 teams on Friday before further games against Maties in Stellenbosch next week Tuesday and then their final match against the SWD Eagles in Oudtshoorn next week Saturday.
“We plan on using these games to create some confidence in our squad and get the momentum going so we can take it into the World Champs,” said Balekile.
The squad departs for the World Champs on June 2.
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