Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made one change to the team that demolished the Junior Wallabies for Friday’s World Rugby U20 Championship match against England.
Demitre Erasmus, suffering from heat stroke, has been replaced at outside centre by Gino Cupido while Foote also made two tactical tweaks on the bench, with scrumhalf Ceano Everson and utility back Dominic Malgas now among the replacements, in place of Erich Visser and Ian van der Merwe.
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The rest of the players who gave such a commanding performance in Calvisano are retained for what promises to be another classic battle between the U20 teams of South Africa and England, who won the tournament last year after beating France in the Cape Town final.
With lock Riley Norton again leading the side, Foote said there is a lot of excitement building for Friday’s important clash.
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“There is a huge amount of excitement around Friday and the magnitude of this match,” said Foote. “We know how important this is, playing against the defending champions. It’s an honour to be involved in such a game and a real challenge for us this week. We can’t wait for it.
“With Demitre suffering from a bit of heat stroke, we brought in Gino at outside centre, while Ceano and Dominic cover scrumhalf, centre and flyhalf on the bench. Demitre, Erich and Ian all played well against Australia, but we are going with a combination that we feel is well suited for us against England.”
In the aftermath of the Junior Boks’ resounding win over the young Wallabies, the South Africans emphasised the need to keep their feet firmly on the ground, especially with a huge challenge such as England looming next.
“We are very proud of the guys in terms of how focused and humble they’re staying after the victory over Australia, and just how hungry they are for the next challenge against England,” said Foote.
The match kicks off at 6pm.
JUNIOR BOKS – 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Gino Cupido, 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 (c), 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Simphiwe Ngobese.
Bench: 16 Jaundré Schoeman, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Dominic Malgas, 23 Jaco Williams.
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
