Five players to watch as Junior Springboks gear up for Currie Cup challenge

AFTER their success at the World Rugby U20 Championship, several Junior Springboks will get a well-deserved break, but then it is straight back into the Currie Cup at their respective unions.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

While the tournament, kicking off this weekend, is not as prestigious as in previous years, the developmental aspect of it could aid some of the U20 players taking part. This will be a perfect platform from which they can launch their senior careers, looking at cracking a nod at their United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises.

We look at five players who must take the next step in their careers.

Haashim Pead (Lions)

The Junior Bok vice-captain could be the perfect understudy to Springbok Morné van den Berg when it comes to the URC.

For that to happen, the Lions must back him in the Currie Cup and give him as many minutes as possible to find his feet. Pead has the pedigree to become great at the union, but it will all depend on how they utilise him. His instinctive plays will suit the Lions' game.