Junior Boks ramp up preparations

Coach Dawie Theron has named an almost full-strength team for the Junior Boks' second match against Argentina in Stellenbosch on Tuesday.

There were 11 changes in all to the team that ran riot over the Argentinians in Saldanha Bay on Friday.

A number of players will start after returning from Vodacom Cup action last week, with Jesse Kriel, André Esterhuizen, Neil Maritz, Clyde Brink and JD Schickerling all getting their chance to stake their claim for a starting spot.

According to Theron, he had always intended to field the strongest possible team in this match.

'With the exception of Handré Pollard and Thomas du Toit who are busy with Super Rugby commitments, this is as close as we could possibly get to selecting a full strength team,' he said.

South Africa U20 – 15 Jesse Kriel, 14 Lloyd Greeff, 13 Dan Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Niel Maritz, 10 Jean Luc du Plessis, 9 JP Smith, 8 Rikus Bothma, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Thabo Mabuza, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Dan Du Preez, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Mox Mxoli.

Photo: SARugby.co.za