The coaches have named their teams for Round #2 that kicks-off on Tuesday May 6 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha.
Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made several rotational changes to his starting line-up and included four players who played for the SA U20s last year for their second Rugby Championship Under-20 match against Australia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Tuesday.
The SA U20s managed to beat Argentina in the opening round on Thursday, while Australia forced a late draw against New Zealand, scoring the equalising try after the hooter had sounded.
Foote has handed starts to JC Mars, Wandile Mlaba, Batho Hlekani and Herman Lubbe, all of whom played for the Junior Boks last year.
The SA U20 coach said it is important to keep their momentum going, manage the load of the players whilst also building squad depth by giving the players exposure to top-class international rugby.
With this – and Tuesday’s game against Australia – in mind, Foote said: “We play three internationals against quality teams in just 11 days, and with the short turnaround time between matches, we must be smart with our player load management.
“We have good squad depth and it’s important for the players to get a taste of international rugby, while we also want to build on our performance against Argentina, knowing that Australia will pose a huge challenge for us.”
In the Junior Bok front row, Simphiwe Ngobese and Lubbe will pack down as props on either side of hooker Juandre Schoeman. Riley Norton is retained at lock and will captain the team again, partnering with Morne Venter.
The loose forward combination sees Xola Nyali, who had a successful campaign with FNB Varsity Cup champions, UCT, coming onto the side of the scrum at flanker. He teams up with Hlekani, who made a strong impact off the bench in the second half against the Pumitas, while Mlaba is retained at No 8, to complete the loose trio.
Amongst the backs there is a new halfback pairing consisting of Ceano Everson (scrumhalf) and Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), while the midfield comprises of Dominic Malgas and Scott Nel. Cheswill Jooste will start again at right wing, and he will be joined in the back three by Siya Ndlozi (left wing) and Mars (fullback).
Regarding the team and their prospects of playing Australia, who will be highly motivated to register their first win, Foote said he is happy with the balance of the squad.
“It’s a nice match-23 with lots of exciting players and speed amongst the backs, complemented by a big and physical forward pack, and we are looking forward to the game,” said Foote.
“We see Australia as a massive threat with their ball movement and how they play with width, and we expect they will have some special structured set pieces with lineouts and scrums.
“I know Chris Whitaker from our time together in Vodacom Super Rugby, and he is an exciting, attacking coach. We know we will have to be on top of our game regarding their threats.”
Junior Springbok versus Australia
15. JC Mars
14. Cheswill Jooste
13. Scott Nel
12. Dominic Malgas
11. Siya Ndlozi
10. Vusi Moyo
9. Ceano Everson
8. Wandile Mlaba
7. Batho Hlekani
6. Xola Nyali
5. Morne Venter
4. Riley Norton (captain)
3. Herman Lubbe
2. Juandre Schoeman
1. Simphiwe Ngobese
Replacements:
16. HB Odendaal
17. Oliver Reid
18. Jean Erasmus
19. Neil Hansen
20. Thando Biyela
21. Elrich Visser
22. Kyle Smith
23. Gino Cupido
Australia U20 head coach Chris Whitaker has unveiled a new-look backline in his side to face South Africa U20 in their second fixture of The Rugby Championship U20 in South Africa.
Eight changes have been made to the starting side that drew with New Zealand U20 as both injury cover and to add more bulk.
Australia U20 have had a five day turnaround following their draw, with Kaleb Ah-Colt and Jacob Veiru set to be rested for the clash - however Whitaker has confirmed both will be available for their third match against Argentina U20.
Eight changes have been made to the starting side, with Souths product Trevor King coming into the front row while Luca Cleverley joins Eli Langi and Beau Morrison in the loose forwards.
Whittaker has opted for a new look backline, with Finn Prass starting at flyhalf and handy Sevens product Sid Harvey shifting from wing to full back.
The result will also see Cooper Watters shift over to Harvey's place, with Nick Conway coming off the bench into the starting side in his place.
Whittaker will retain some continuity from last game on the bench, with Charlie Brosnan and Lipina Ata retaining their spots, while Joey Fowler will move to the finishing flyhalf position.
"[We're feeling] pretty good," said Whitaker to Rugby.com.au.
"There are a couple of forced changes - but we've also picked a bit of size up front, two second rowers on the bench. We've picked a five-eighth with a big kicking game.
"There's some tactical changes, but it's also about giving some guys some opportunities.
"The Boks, they're a big pack, very physical. We need to take our opportunities, be really solid around the contact area, be really accurate, ant take our opportunities when they come."
The team's matches against New Zealand U20, South Africa U20 and Argentina U20 will serve as their final competitive hit-outs ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy in June and July.
Australia U20 versus Junior Springboks
1. Finn Baxter (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)
2. Ollie Barrett (Western Force, Associates RUFC)
3. Trevor King (Queensland Reds, Souths)
4. Joe Mangelsdorf (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
5. Eamon Doyle (c) (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
6. Luca Cleverley (NSW Waratahs, Randwick)
7. Eli Langi (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings)
8. Beau Morrison (ACT Brumbies, Sydney University)
9. Hwi Sharples (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
10. Finn Prass (Western Force, Wests Scarborough)
11. Cooper Watters (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
12. Malakye Enasio (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)
13. Xavier Rubens (Queensland Reds, Souths)
14. Nick Conway (Queensland Reds, Wests Bulldogs)
15. Sid Harvey (Australia Sevens)
16. Lipina Ata (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)
17. Nick Hill (NSW Waratahs, Warringah)
18. Edwin Langi (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
19. Ollie Aylmer (ACT Brumbies, Gordon)
20. Charlie Brosnan (Queensland Reds, Brothers)
21. James Martens (Queensland Reds, GPS Rugby Club)
22. Joey Fowler (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
23. Boston Fakafanua (Western Force, Wests Scarborough)
