Junior Boks gain Zain in bid for bronze against France
JUNIOR Springbok loose forward Zain Davids is one of four changes to Chean Roux’s team for the World Rugby U-20 Championship bronze play-off against France today (kick-off 1.30 pm SA time).
Davids returns to the side after serving a two-match suspension, and he will start in the loose trio with captain Ernst van Rhyn and Player of the Tournament nominee Juarno Augustus at No 8.
In the backline, Manie Libbok moves from fullback to flyhalf in the place of Curwin Bosch, who is nursing an ankle injury, and Jeanluc Cilliers will start at fullback.
In midfield Stedman Gans will partner Damian Willemse in place of Wandisile Simelane, who has been named on the bench, and in the front row, prop Gerhard Steenekamp comes in for Kwenzo Blose.
On the replacements’ bench, prop Wikus Groenewald has recovered from the flu and replaces Lee-marvin Mazibuko, while centre David Brits will fill the void left by Gans’ call-up to the starting XV.
Roux also said that he was expecting a physical onslaught from France, who drew 23-all against the Junior Boks in the opening match.
“Knowing the French, the first 20 minutes are going to be crucial as that is where the foundation will be laid. So we have to come out guns blazing and quickly apply pressure on them.”
New Zealand play England in the final at 4pm (SA time). Junior Springboks 15 Jeanluc Cilliers, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Gianni Lombard, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Zain Davids, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Carl Sadie, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp Reserves: 16 Kwenzo Blose, 17 Daniel Jooste, 18 Wikus Groenewald, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Muller Uys, 21 Francois de Villiers, 22 David Brits, 23 Wandisile Simelane June 23: Wasbank Half Marathon, Embizeni High School. Type:10km, 21.1km run/walk. Wasbank AC. Call Sifiso Nzuza on 072 450 3481, 033 355 6873, 033 386 8085 or mail wasbankac@gmail.com June 25: Archie Gumede Half Marathon, Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, Clermont. Type: 21.1 km run, 10 km run/walk. For more info, call Dees Govender on 031 312 9374 or e-mail admin@kznathletics.co.za June 29: Durban Runner Miway Mizuno Mixed League Time Trial (Stella), Stella Club, 175 Helen Joseph Road, Durban. Type: 8km, 4km run/walk, Stella AC. Call Justin Hand on 084 599 5991. June 30: C2C Mountain Rise, Pietermaritzburg. Type: 12km run/walk. Spartan AC. Call John Hall on 082 491 7679, Fax: 086 616 7500 or mail john@aghall.co.za June 30: Mandela Legacy Challenge, Rydalvale Sports Ground, Phoenix. Type: 5km, 10km run/walk. Phoenix Villagers. Call Danny Chetty on 082 454 4073, 031 500 9311 or mail phoenixvillagers@yahoo.com