Australia U20 head coach Chris Whitaker has made six changes to his side that narrowly lost to New Zealand U20 in the opening match of the 2026 Rugby Championship.
The Aussies will be looking to bounce back against hosts South Africa who impressed in their opening round win against Argentina U20.
Zach Fittler comes into the starting side to replace the injured Frankie Goldsbrough with Queensland Reds centre Josh Takai brought into camp this week as cover.
Luca Cleverley replaces Marshall Le Maitre in the starting XV with captain Tom Robinson moving to Openside Flanker.
Taione Taka starts on the wing with Chayse Geros coming into the side in the #23 jersey.
Whitaker has opted for a 6-2 bench split with Nick Hill and Toby Brial coming into the matchday squad for this round.
Australia U20 team list v South Africa U20:
1. Jacob Job
2. Ewald Kruger
3. Edwin Langi
4. Will Ross
5. Isaac Fonua
6. Luca Cleverley
7. Tom Robinson (c)
8. Eli Langi
9. Angus Grover
10. Finn Mackay
11. Taione Taka
12. Zach Fittler
13. Leo Jaques
14. Riley Whitfeld
15. Louis Fenwicke
Replacements: 16. Tyler Maybery, 17. Nick Hill, 18. Jonah Rangiwai, 19. Kenneth Harris, 20. Toby Brial, 21. Marshall Le Maitre, 22. Jonty Fowler, 23. Chayse Geros
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has made a couple of rotational changes to the match-23 for their U20 Rugby Championship encounter against Australia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Sunday.
The second-round encounter kicks off at 16h10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport. The first match, between New Zealand and Argentina, starts at 14h00. Tickets, from only R35, are available here.
The Junior Boks’ starting pack show only one change from the side that impressed against Argentina in the opening round, with Wasi Vyambwera coming in at blindside flanker in place of Thomas Beling.
Among the backs, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga is preferred to Lindsey Jansen on the left wing, and Akahluwa Boqwana gets the nod at fullback ahead of Alzeadon Felix.
On the bench, Luan van der Berg (prop) fills the gap left by the injured Kai Pratt, while Gert Kemp will provide loose forward cover in the place of Risima Khosa, with Rasivhaga’s spot amongst the replacements filled by Jade Muller as the reserve outside back
According to Foote, the team enjoyed a productive week of preparation in the build-up to Sunday’s meeting with Australia.
We had a really good review of our performance against Argentina and, while we are very pleased with the result and the way the players performed on defence and attack for long periods of the match, there are obviously aspects of our game that need improvement,” said Foote.
“Our focus is playing the full 80 minutes and ensuring that we stay on our game model to meet what will be a huge challenge against an Australian side that is well coached and who boasts strong skill sets across the park.”
Foote expressed the team’s immense pride and excitement on returning to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for their second fixture. More than 10,000 specators attended the opening round of matches.
“The support we received against Argentina last week was absolutely fantastic, and we are excited to be playing in front of the passionate Eastern Cape rugby fans once again,” he said.
Junior Springbok team to face Australia in Gqeberha:
15 Akahluwa Boqwana
14 Jack Benade
13 Samuel Badenhorst
12 Ethan Adams
11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga
10 Yaqeen Ahmed
9 Hendré Schoeman
8 Kebotile Maake
7 Wasi Vyambwera
6 Luke Canon
5 Riley Norton (captain)
4 Heinrich Theron
3 Danie Kruger
2 Liam van Wyk
1 Rambo Kubheka
Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 JD Hattingh, 20 Gert Kemp, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 Jade Muller
The New Zealand Under 20 team has been named for their second match of the Under 20 Rugby Championship, where they will play Argentina in Gqerberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa. Head Coach Kane Jury has made seven personnel changes to the team that started the first match of the tournament and a further three in the reserves.
Two positional changes to the starting fifteen see loose forward Finn McLeod move from blindside to No.8 and Oliver Guerin shift from the right wing to centre.
The New Zealand U20s started the defence of their Under 20 Rugby Championship title with a 34-29 win over Australia.
The New Zealand U20 team to play Argentina is:
1. Ethan Webber (Highlanders, Otago)
2. Josh Findlay (Crusaders, Canterbury)
3. Alex Hewitt (Hurricanes, Wellington)
4. Alex Arnold (Highlanders, Otago)
5. Jake Frost (Crusaders, Canterbury)
6. Logan Platt (Blues, Auckland)
7. Kobe Brownlee (Crusaders, Tasman)
8. Finn McLeod (Crusaders, Canterbury)
9. Charlie Sinton (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
10. Mika Muliaina (Highlanders, Southland)
11. JD Van Der Westhuizen (Blues, North Harbour)
12. Haki Wiseman (Chiefs, Taranaki)
13. Oliver Guerin (Chiefs, Waikato)
14. Jay Reihana (Highlanders, Southland)
15. Cohen Norrie (Blues, Auckland)
Replacements: 16. Luka Patumaka Makata (Blues, Auckland), 17. Charlie Wallis (Blues, Auckland), 18. Dane Johnston (Chiefs, Taranaki) , 19. Johnny Falloon (Hurricanes, Wellington), 20. Micah Fale (Chiefs, Waikato), 21. Boston Krone (Blues, Auckland), 22. Angus Revell (Blues, Auckland), 23. Logan Williams (Crusaders, Canterbury)
Los Pumita team to play New Zealand U20:
1 CEBRON, Fabrizio (Regatas Bella Vista – URBA)
2 CUNEO CAMARGO, Manuel (San Juan R.C – Unión Sanjuanina de Rugby)
3 SALINAS MALLEA, Bautista (Los Tordos R.C – Unión de Rugby de Cuyo)
4 PASCUAL VIALE, Joaquín (Alumni – URBA)
5 BENAVIDES, Bautista (Santa Fe R.C – Unión Santafesina de Rugby)
6 MARIZZA, Franco (Paraná Rowing – Unión Entrerriana de Rugby)
7 SORONDO, Jerónimo (Belgrano Athletic – URBA)
8 TORRE, Federico (Córdoba Athletic – Unión Cordobesa de Rugby)
9 PREUMAYR, Juan (Jockey Club de Rosario – Unión de Rugby de Rosario)
10 SERPA, Federico (Los Tordos R.C – Unión de Rugby de Cuyo)
11 AVACA, Luciano (Tala R.C – Unión Cordobesa de Rugby)
12 ORDIZ, Benjamín (Los Caranchos – Unión de Rugby de Rosario)
13 COLL, Pedro (Tigres R.C – Unión de Rugby de Salta) (C)
14 QUIROGA MIGUENS, Bautista (CUBA – URBA)
15 PFISTER, Simón (Tucumán R.C – Unión de Rugby de Tucumán)
Replacements: 16 CAMBIASSO, Nicolás (Buenos Aires – URBA), 17 FARIAS CERIONI, Benjamín (Universitario R.C – Unión de Rugby de Tucumán), 18 TELLO FREDES, Germán (Marista R.C – Unión de Rugby de Cuyo), 19 PONZIO, Agustín (CRAI – Unión Santafesina de Rugby), 20 CAÑAS, Basilio (CAE – Unión Entrerriana de Rugby), 21 LEDESMA AROCENA, Benjamín (SIC – URBA), 22 FERNÁNDEZ, Ramón (Hindu – URBA), 23 GIANNANTONIO, Manuel (Tala R.C – Unión Cordobesa de Rugby)
