Junior Springboks coach Dawie Theron will run the eye over a large group of players called to attend a trial this weekend as preparations start to ramp up ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship 2015 in Italy in June.

The group will arrive at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport on Sunday and remain in camp until Thursday with two trial matches taking place on Tuesday and Thursday at the Paul Roose Markottër Stadium.

A number of players eligible for the World Championships will not join up with the camp due to their Super Rugby commitments or injury, including Sharks duo Thomas du Toit and Dan du Preez and the Blue Bulls’ pairing of RG Snyman and Warrick Gelant.

Following the trial, a smaller group of 34 players will return to the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport for an extended training camp, which will include a couple of matches and also short tour to Argentina for the traditional annual series of matches against Los Pumitas. 

The Junior Springboks reached the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship – then known as the Junior World Championship – in New Zealand in 2014 but missed out on a second title in three years following a heart-breaking 21-20 loss to England.

“Our decision last year to keep the players together in camp for an extended time rather than having several shorter camps proved very successful, so we will do so again this year,” said Theron, who saw his 2014 captain Handré Pollard make his senior Springbok debut just eight days after that final loss.

“We were able to work with the players daily and monitor their rehabilitation in instances of injuries.”

Theron said the conditions in Italy would play a role in the selection process.

“Last year we went for a big, physical squad because of the heavy and wet conditions in New Zealand. The indications are that the field conditions in Italy will allow for a faster type of game, so we will have to keep that in mind during the trials and in our preparations,” said Theron.

The Junior Springboks will face Australia, Samoa and host nation Italy in Pool B at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Trial squad: Matthys Basson, Warrick Gelant, Njabula Gumede, Dewald Human, JT Jackson, Jason Jenkins, Jurie Linde, Jinx Molapo, Adrian Maebane, Menzi Nhlabathi, Abongile Nonkontwana, Luigy Van Jaarsveld, Alandre Van Rooyen, Ivan Van Zyl (all Blue Bulls), GL Erasmus (Boland Cavaliers), Malcolm Jaer, Tyler Paul, CJ Velleman (all Eastern Province), Joseph Dweba, Lorenzo Gordon, Gunther Janse van Vuuren, Gerhardus Labuschagne, Ox Nche, Stephen Rautenbach, Frans Steyn, Andre Swarts, Arno van Staden, Conrad van Vuuren, Reinach Venter, Jasper Wiese (all Free State Cheetahs), Ruan Ackermann, Marco Janse van Vuuren, Le Roux Roets, Gerdus van der Walt (all Golden Lions), Hyron Andrews, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Ruan Kramer, Rowan Gouws, Mzamo Majola, Ayron Scrhamm, Innocent Radebe (all Sharks), Mogau Mabokela, Walt Steenkamp (all Leopards), Ruan Brits, Dan du Plessis, Daniel du Plessis, Jaco Coetzee, Grant Hermanus, Michael Kumbirai, Remu Malan, Daniel Maree, Ryan Oosthuizen, Khanyo Ngcukana, Justin Phillips, Ernst Stapelberg, Brandon Thomson, Christo van der Merwe, Francois van der Merwe, Frans van Wyk, Jacques Vermeulen, EW Viljoen, Edward Zandbergh, Leolin Zas (all Western Province).