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Junior Springboks make 4 changes for World Rugby U20s revenge mission
By Ian Cameron
The Junior Springboks have named their team for Sunday’s World Rugby U20 Championship clash against Australia in Calvisano, Italy.
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Kick-off at the San Michele Stadium is scheduled for 15:30 local time (14:30 BST), with South Africa opening their Pool C campaign against the same opponents who staged a comeback victory over them in Gqeberha just last month. The match can watched live on RugbyPass TV.
Head coach Kevin Foote has made four changes to the starting XV that narrowly lost to New Zealand in their final U20 Rugby Championship outing. There’s one switch in the backline, with Siya Ndlozi replacing Gino Cupido on the left wing, while the rest of the back division remains unchanged.
In the pack, Batho Hlekani and Xola Nyali start on the flanks alongside No.8 Wandile Mlaba. Up front, Herman Lubbe comes in at tighthead prop, with Jean Erasmus moving to the bench.
Lock Jaco Grobbelaar, recently returned from Vodacom URC duty with the Bulls, has also been named among the replacements and is in line to make his tournament debut.
There are two potential new caps in the backline cover: Ian van der Merwe (fly-half) and outside back Jaco Williams, who joined the squad late after finishing his campaign with the Sharks.
“We are extremely excited about starting the World Championship in Italy,” said Foote. “It’s a great country and you can feel the energy within the group. The players have prepared well, they’ve got clarity, and they are just such a great group together.”
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Foote said selecting the matchday squad was a challenge given the depth in the group, but the chosen side brings familiarity and cohesion.
“Selection is always tough and leaving some guys out is hard, but we’ve gone with a team that has played a lot together now, has a lot of synergy and understanding of our game, and knows how to connect on the field,” he said.
The team will be led by captain Riley Norton, with leadership support from Haashim Pead, JJ Theron, and Siphosethu Mnebelele.
“It’s good to have Grobbelaar back,” Foote added. “Having his big physical presence is fundamental to the way we want to play, and the same goes for Jaco Williams. The nice thing about them is the calmness that they bring in their roles.”
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South Africa share their pool with defending champions England and a much-improved Scotland side. Only the pool winners and best runner-up will advance to the semi-finals in what is expected to be a fiercely competitive tournament.
Junior Springboks team to face Australia:
15. Gilermo Mentoe
14. Cheswill Jooste
13. Demitre Erasmus
12. Albie Bester
11. Siyabonga Ndlozi
10. Vusi Moyo
9. Haashim Pead
8. Wandile Mlaba
7. Bathobele Hlekani
6. Xola Nyali
5. JJ Theron
4. Riley Norton (captain)
3. Herman Lubbe
2. Siphosethu Mnebelele
1. Simphiwe Ngobese
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Jaundre Schoeman
17. Oliver Reid
18. Jean Erasmus
19. Jaco Grobbelaar
20. Matt Romao
21. Erich Visser
22. Ian van der Merwe
23. Jaco Williams