Head coach Kevin Foote has named former SA U18 star and No 8 Thando Biyela as Junior Springboks skipper against the Georgia U20s this weekend.
With one opposed training session already under their belts in Tbilisi, the Junior Boks will switch to game mode when they face their Georgian counterparts on Sunday (4pm).
The teams have agreed to allow rolling substitutions for the first of two matches, meaning all 30 squad members should get some action.
Foote said the Junior Boks will be eager to gauge their progress and skills against a Georgian side who are known for their physicality, while the expected cold conditions will also challenge the visitors.
“We are looking forward to the challenge and to implement our game plan against a very physical opponent,” he said.
“Our set piece, physicality and kicking game are of course key elements of the South African way and DNA, so it would be nice to see how the boys adapt to the cold weather and implement the game plan.”
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“The cold conditions are quite an adjustment, but the group have taken it in their stride. We understand the prediction for Sunday can be as low as minus six degrees, which will pose an interesting challenge considering we came from warm summer conditions in Stellenbosch.
“We cannot control the weather, but [we can determine] our own action and attitude, and I think we are all doing a good job around that. Therefore, it will be important for us to be smart against the opposition, as they are accustomed to the local conditions.”
Foote views the group’s off-field relationships just as important: “It’s not only about connecting on the field, which is obviously very important, and we are constantly working on that.
“However, we are putting a lot of effort into getting to know each other off the field of play, stressing the importance of what the SA Rugby badge means for all of us and the people back home.
“We had a couple of team-building exercises which are designed to strengthen togetherness, and it’s something we are constantly working on. It is great seeing the guys coming together as a group and experiencing the different environment and culture.”
The final match of the tour is scheduled for 3pm next Friday.
JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS – 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Dominic Malgas, 12 Pieter van der Merwe, 11 Chijindu Okonta, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Zeke January, 8 Thando Biyela (c), 7 Yabo Ndzamela, 6 Divan Fuller, 5 Morne Venter, 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Tebogo Nkosi, 2 HB Odendaal, 1 Oliver Reid.
Bench: 16 Sipo Mnebelele, 17 Simphiwe Ngobese, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Riley Norton, 20 Stephanus Linde, 21 Batho Hlekani, 22 Ceano Everson, 23 JT Kapank, 24 Ranon Fouche, 25 Juandre Schoeman, 26 Kuhle Mthimkhulu, 27 Xola Nyali, 28 Haashim Pead, 29 Scott Nel, 30 Siya Ndlozi.
Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
