Gqeberha, South Africa, will host New Zealand’s next generation of rugby talent this spring as the squad for the 2026 Under 20 Rugby Championship has been named. National Pathways Head Coach Kane Jury has selected a 30-man team to compete in the annual Sanzaar tournament, a crucial proving ground for aspiring All Blacks. The championship, featuring matches against Australia, Argentina, and the host nation South Africa, will grab place at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium from April 28th to May 10th (New Zealand time).
This year’s squad represents a blend of returning experience and fresh faces, with six players having featured in last year’s Under 20 Rugby Championship campaign. Five players also bring valuable experience from the National Provincial Championship (NPC), New Zealand’s domestic professional league. The selection process, according to Jury, was highly competitive, stemming from a successful Under 20 Development Programme held in Taupō. This program brought together 100 of the country’s most promising young players, providing a platform for evaluation and development.
A Competitive Pathway to the All Blacks
The Under 20 Rugby Championship serves as a vital stepping stone for players aiming to reach the highest levels of the game. Many current All Blacks, including stars like Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett, honed their skills in this competition. The tournament provides invaluable international experience and exposure, allowing players to test themselves against the best young talent from Australia, Argentina, and South Africa. The full squad list is available on allblacks.com.
Jury emphasized the quality of players vying for selection. “The week was a standout success, both on and off the field,” he said. “One hundred of our most promising players arrived eager to learn, compete, and showcase their talent – and they delivered in spades.” He added, “There’s genuine excitement about this group around who they are, who they can become, and how we can contribute to the legacy of this team.”
Key Players and Positional Breakdown
The squad features a strong contingent from the Crusaders, Blues, and Hurricanes Super Rugby franchises, reflecting the strength of these academies. In the forwards, Canterbury’s Jake Frost and Hawke’s Bay’s Patrick Mauga will provide physicality in the second row and loose forward positions, respectively. The backline boasts exciting talent in Auckland’s Cohen Norrie at first five-eighth and Waikato’s David Lewai in the midfield. Several players are making their debut at this level, offering a glimpse into the future of New Zealand rugby.
Here’s a breakdown of the squad by position:
- Hookers: Josh Findlay (Crusaders, Canterbury), Luka Patumaka Makata (Blues, Auckland), Jericho Wharehinga (Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay)
- Props: Alexander Hewitt (Hurricanes, Wellington), Dane Johnston (Chiefs, Taranaki), Henry Stuart (Highlanders, Otago), Ethan Webber (Highlanders, Otago)
- Locks: Jake Frost (Crusaders, Canterbury), John Falloon (Hurricanes, Wellington), Max Fale (Crusaders, Canterbury)
- Loose Forwards: Alex Arnold (Highlanders, Otago), Kobe Brownlee (Crusaders, Tasman), Micah Fale (Chiefs, Waikato), Patrick Mauga (Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay), Finn McLeod (Crusaders, Canterbury), Logan Platt (Blues, Auckland), Caleb Woodley (Blues, Auckland)
- Halfbacks: Jackson Hughan (Highlanders, Southland), Boston Krone (Blues, Auckland), Charlie Sinton (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
- First Five-Eighths: Cohen Norrie (Blues, Auckland), Mika Muliaina (Highlanders, Southland)
- Midfielders: David Lewai (Chiefs, Waikato), Siale Pahulu (Blues, Auckland), Angus Revell (Blues, Auckland), Haki Wiseman (Chiefs, Taranaki)
- Outside Backs: Oliver Guerin (Chiefs, Waikato), Jay Reihana (Highlanders, Southland), JD Van Der Westhuizen (Blues, North Harbour), Logan Williams (Crusaders, Canterbury)
Preparation and Schedule
The team will depart for South Africa on April 20th. Before heading overseas, nine non-traveling reserves will participate in a pre-departure camp at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation & Sport (NZCIS) in Wellington from April 12th to 19th. This camp will include a valuable warm-up match against the Hurricanes Hunters development team on April 18th. The coaching staff, led by Jury and including Assistant Coaches Brock James, James Lentjes, and Will Henry, have been working closely with NZR High Performance Talent Identification Manager PJ Williams to ensure a thorough and data-driven selection process.
The tournament schedule is as follows (all times NZT):
- Tuesday, April 28th: New Zealand v Australia, 12:00am
- Monday, May 4th: New Zealand v Argentina, 12:00am
- Sunday, May 10th: New Zealand v South Africa, 2:10am
One additional player will be added to the squad before departure, completing the final 31-man roster.
The selection of this Under 20 squad underscores New Zealand Rugby’s commitment to developing future All Blacks. The tournament in South Africa will provide a crucial test for these young players, offering them an opportunity to showcase their talent on the international stage. Fans can follow the team’s progress and find further updates on the official All Blacks website.
The next key date for the team is April 20th, when they depart for South Africa, marking the beginning of their campaign in the 2026 Under 20 Rugby Championship. We encourage you to share your thoughts on the squad selection and follow their journey throughout the tournament.
