Du Preez twins in SA u20 World Cup squad
This for the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship in New Zealand from June 2 to 22.
Bulls flyhalf Handre Pollard, Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen, Sergeal Petersen and Aidon Davis of the Southern Kings, as well as Lions hooker Malcolm Marx have all either played or have been part of their respective franchise's Super Rugby training groups.
The squad also sees the return of several players who did duty for the South Africa Under-20's in France last year, where they claimed the bronze medal.
Pollard, who also starred in the 2012 tournament, Davis and Jesse Kriel of the Bulls all played for the Junior Boks in 2013.
Winger Petersen, who made an impressive Super Rugby debut for the Kings last year by scoring several stunning tries, was also included in the squad but missed the trip to France because of a hamstring injury.
South Africa Under-20 coach Dawie Theron and national selectors Peter Jooste and Ian McIntosh selected the 28-man squad following an intensive identification and trials process.
More than 50 players attended the training camp which ran for almost three weeks in Stellenbosch and included two trial matches as well as several training games.
The JWC squad returned to their training base in Stellenbosch on Tuesday to continue their preparations for the tournament.
This will include a three-match international series against traditional rivals Argentina from May 2 to 10 in the Western Cape.
Theron said the weather and playing conditions in New Zealand, as well as a tough pool draw, will contribute to a challenging competition.
"Our players are used to dry and fast fields and we will encounter the opposite of these conditions in New Zealand. "These were obvious factors we had to take into account when selecting the squad," said Theron, who led the Junior Springboks to victory at the 2012 JWC on home soil.
"We will now intensify our preparations. The series against Argentina will give us an ideal opportunity to test our game plan, readiness and decision-making against a very competitive team and in real match situations."
The squad includes two sets of twin brothers, Jean-Luc (flank) and Daniel du Preez (lock, both Sharks) and the Kriel twins, Jesse (fullback) and Dan (centre, both Blue Bulls).
The Du Preez twins follow in the footsteps of their older brother Robert, who played flyhalf and centre last year for the Junior Springboks in France. The trio are the sons of former Springbok scrumhalf Robert du Preez.
Flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis (Sharks) is the son of former Springbok wing and coach Carel du Plessis.
(File photo:Gallo Images)