JUNIOR BOKS MAKE SIX CHANGES FOR WALES WARM-UP CLASH
JUNIOR Springbok coach Chean Roux made six changes to his starting team to face Wales at Cardiff Arms Park today, most of which were rotational, as he looks to ensure that the players get the necessary game time before the World Rugby Under-20 Championship later this month.
The team features a new centre pairing of Manuel Rass and Lyle Hendricks, while scrumhalf
Zak Burger will join forces with Lubabalo Dobela at halfback in the three changes to the backline.
The switches in the pack see a new-look front row with prop Nathan McBeth and hooker Schalk Erasmus start alongside Sazi
Sandi, who retains his place in the starting XV, and Ben-Jason Dixon joins captain Salmaan Moerat (pictured) in the second row.
Only one of the changes were injury-enforced, as prop Alulutho Tshakweni took a knock to his knee against Scotland.
The expanded squad, featuring 25 players, includes three players who did not participate in the match against Scotland, namely prop Cohen Kiewit, scrumhalf Jack Hart and flyhalf David Coetzer. Coetzer joined the squad in Cardiff on Tuesday as cover for Damian Willemse, who will remain with the DHL Stormers until the team assembles for their World Rugby Under-20 Championship holding camp.
“The World Rugby Under-20 Championship is drawing closer, so we have to ensure that everyone is ready for the tournament, and has sufficient game time under the belt, which is why we decided to make a few rotational switches,” said Roux.
“This will also allow us to further grow and develop the player combinations we have been working on. Our main purpose on this tour is to build toward the international spectacle in the south of France, so everything we do is geared toward that.”
Roux expected a testing encounter against Wales and said: “Wales will pose different challenges to Scotland and we expect that this challenge will be a notch up from our last outing, so we need to be switched on from the outset. The set phases will again be vital in laying a solid foundation, while I would also like us to get the tempo up from early on.”
The match kicks off at 3pm. The Junior Springboks will meet England in their final UK tour match on Friday at the Sixways Stadium in Worcester. ANA
Gianni Lombard (Lions), Tyrone Green (Lions) , Manuel Rass (Lions), Lyle Hendricks (WP), Sihle Njezula (WP), Lubabalo Dobela (Cheetahs), Zak Burger (Sharks), Muller Uys (WP), PJ Steenkamp (Lions), Dian Schoonees (Lions), BenJason Dixon (WP), Salmaan Moerat (captain – WP), Sazi Sandi (WP), Schalk Erasmus (WP), Nathan McBeth (Lions)
Daniel Jooste (WP), Tiaan van der Merwe (Lions), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Cohen Kiewit (Lions), Ruan Nortje (Blue Bulls), Phendulani Buthelezi (Sharks), Jack Hart (Lions),Wandisile Simelane (Lions), David Coetzer (WP), Rikus Pretorius (WP)