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Junior Springboks ‘eager’ for historic clash with rivals New Zealand U20
Former South Africa Schools captain Zachary Porthen will lead the Junior Springboks in a historic U20 Rugby Championship clash against traditional rugby rivals New Zealand on Thursday.
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Porthen, who has been named to start at tighthead prop, is one of five players in South Africa’s 23-man squad who participated in last year’s World Rugby U20 Championship on home soil.
Halfback Asad Moos, centre Jurenzo Julius and wing Litelihle Bester are the others in the run-on side, while vice-captain JF van Heerden will look to make a difference as a second-row replacement.
Captain Porthen joins Ran Swart and Juan Smal in the front-row, while Thomas Dyer and Adam de Waal round out the tight five. Flankers Sibabalwe Mahashe and Bathobele Hlekani join Tiaan Jacobs in an exciting loose forwards trio to take on the Kiwis.
Joining scrum-half Asad Moos in the halves is first five Tylor Sefoor, while Bruce Sherwood and vice-captain Jurenzo Julius will line up just outside the playmaking pair in the midfield.
Litelihle Bester will take his place on the left wing with Joel Leotlela on the right. Michail Damon completes the starting side after being named to wear the No.10 jumper as the team’s fullback.
“The medical and strength and conditioning staff did a sterling job to ensure our group settled in as quickly as possible after our long-haul flight from South Africa, and our preparations went well this week,” coach Bafana Nhleko said in a statement.
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“The players are now eager to put in a good effort on the field against a top-quality opponent.
“We all know about the tremendous rivalry and the all-round threat of New Zealand is a well-known fact,” he added.
“Especially the physical battle will be huge between two teams that pride themselves on physicality. The main message has been to focus on ourselves and to drive our behaviours.
“So, as much as there is a lot at stake in this match and we are chasing a good performance, as a group, we are also eager to continue to learn and use this tournament as a great opportunity to further develop as a team.”
This is the first match ever in the history of the U20 Rugby Championship. Later on the opening day, hosts Australia take on Argentina at the same venue (Sunshine Coast Stadium).
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South Africa versus New Zealand is scheduled to get underway at 9am (South Africa time) or 5pm for those in Australia. It will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Junior Springboks to take on New Zealand U20
- Ruan Swart
- Juan Smal
- Zachary Porthen (c)
- Thomas Dyer
- Adam de Waal
- Sibabalwe Mahashe
- Bathobele Hlekani
- Tiaan Jacobs
- Asad Moos
- Tylor Sefoor
- Litelihle Bester
- Bruce Sherwood
- Jurenzo Julius (vc)
- JoeL Leotlela
- Michail Damon
Replacements
- Ethan Bester
- Mbasa Maqubela
- Reno Hirst
- JF van Heerden (vc)
- Thabang Mphafi
- Ezekiel Ngobeni
- Thurlon Williams
- Joshua Boulle
Comments on RugbyPass
I don't know why peoplenare upset here. If foreign fans think they are poor for their clubs and back it up with stats then it's probably true. Snyman would have been a legend in the NH if he was fit though. He just transforms Munster into a winning machine. Pollard is 100% the most disappointing one and his win rate outside world cups gives a good indicator. For all his clubs his average win rate is around 52%, inbetween world cups for the Boks it's 55%. Compared to other elite flyhalves who have 70%+ win rates for their clubs. If anything Manie is a far better investment if you looking for a flyhalf given that when he is on the pitch teams on average win 76% of games.
44 Go to commentsWhich captains were not human?
2 Go to commentsIt left him open to savage sledging most memorably POMs ‘Sh1t McCaw’ comment which prompted a national NZ meltdown. Cane was later substituted in that game. He had some redemption in the RWC quartfinal against Ireland but unfortunately he will be remembered for torpedo-ing his team with that red card in the final with NZ already 12-3 down.
2 Go to commentsThere should be a smaller number of teams cut off to play finals after the regular season, of course. However, with all due respect, the Crusaders aren’t playing well enough to even make that cut. They may have a late rally, if they can get some key players back from injury, but this is still a speculation as it stands. They will still have to rely on other results going their way too - their season is now entirely out of their control.
10 Go to comments1 week for two cynical and dirty plays? Absolutely pathetic punishment. He should’ve at least received 2 weeks - 1 week per trip. The guy is a cheating moron and liability. He should go back to league.
2 Go to commentsTest rugby is different level Some players are just big time players when the stakes are high they play better. The boks often lost to AUS on tour as they wanted to beat AB. Even at school level this is the case where some guys play better in tough games.
44 Go to commentsLet’s hope he misses more than just the Force game or the Reds won’t get very far in the finals.
2 Go to commentsThanks Nick. I’m looking at the other 7 options in Australia and they don’t seem to be close behind Fraser at the moment? Even before reading this I thought he was well ahead. A random one - Slipper and Allalatoa seem to be getting well beaten in the scrum. I can’t remember this happening often before. Is it a technique/teamwork issue or are their bodies finally past it?
32 Go to commentsNZ is now entrenched in Div 2 of womens rugby. Canada would be thrashed by the likes of France or England. Europe are Div 1, with massive competitions, massive money…
2 Go to commentsBlackadder dies not deserve selection. He has not played enough games. Finau is just better. Kaino's replacement at Blindside On form TJ should be the starting 9 .
129 Go to commentsThe difference is Cotter..
6 Go to commentsThey can’t handle the level of comp in the NH. Pollard was a complete waste at Montpellier - and was the backup 12 when he left. Kitschoff was stealing his paycheque every week at Ulster,- getting absolutely rinsed by backup THs in the URC. There is a reason all the Boks go to Japan - they don’t have it in them to be able to compete. And yes, they won the RWC. Where Barnes and O'Keeffe were the direct reason for that tragedy occurring.
44 Go to commentsTrouble with Jones is he has so many impractical innovations. Kemeney wasn't good enough in any position for top level test rugby. I like how Vern has Papalii playing. He's always had the workrate when in form, although I'm not sure that he quite has Cane's mongrel.
32 Go to commentsPut those results on the old CV and send it in to the crusaders bro.
1 Go to commentsJust go with a top 6 system where the top 2 teams go straight to the semi-finals and the other 4 teams fight it out for the other 2 semi-final spots.
10 Go to commentsIt’s a shame that Baxter wasn’t nominated for DoR of the season. what he did is more impressive than McCall imo
1 Go to commentsSeveral boks said during World Cup they play so hard to give people back home hope. As an Englishman the Springboks Captain’s life story is an inspiration which should give us all hope and inspiration. Rather like that other great South African, Nelson Mandela
44 Go to commentsFox News, Tucker Carlson, Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan? Yikes.
1 Go to commentsThat is harsh though. Messi has/had a reputation for trying to keep his feet and keep dribbling for goal. Many of his brethren were the histrionic divers but not him.
2 Go to commentsMcReight is certainly one of the first picked. He’s going to be the glue, a Wallaby with some rugby IQ and the everywhere man for the Wallabies.
32 Go to comments