Junior Boks include URC youngsters Moodie, Mngomezulu in 30-man squad for Summer Series

Youngsters Canan Moodie and Sacha Mngomezulu are among United Rugby Championship (URC) experienced players picked for the Junior Boks' Six Nations Summer Series in Italy later this month.

The competition will be staged from 24 June to 12 July.

Together with locks Reinhardt Ludwig, Connor Evans as well as scrumhalf Nico Steyn and loose forward Ruan Venter, they make up a contingent of players who have all have gained some valuable URC experience in the last few months.

These six players, as well as several others, have also featured for their provincial unions in the Currie Cup, while Mngomezulu, Ludwig, Moodie, Steyn, Ethan James and Siya Ningiza (loose forward) all played for the Junior Springboks in last year’s successful U20 International Series in South Africa.

"I believe we have a well-balanced and competitive squad," said Junior Boks head coach Bafana Nhleko.

"We are grateful for the domestic Under-20 competition earlier this year that gave us an opportunity see the players and select the Academy group. We have a few guys who have gained valuable experience in the senior ranks, as well as a number of returnees from last year’s programme.

"Putting in the hard work on the training field is one thing, but actually playing in real matches, especially against experienced senior players, provides even better preparation."

A final training exercise against Maties in Stellenbosch is planned for Thursday, and squad will remain at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport until their departure to Italy in two weeks’ time.

The Junior Boks will open their Summer Series commitments against England on Friday, 24 June, and that will be followed by their second match on Wednesday, 29 June against Ireland.

The South Africans will complete their