Baby Boks ring the changes

Wandisile Simelane will start on the wing and Lubabalo Dobela at flyhalf when the Junior Springboks meet World Rugby Under-20 Championship hosts, France, in their pool decider in Narbonne today, among six changes to coach Chean Roux’s starting team.

Dobela will make his first start in the competition, and Simelane, who moved from centre to the wing during the match against Ireland, will take over the No 11 jersey, after the Baby Boks lost Damian Willemse and Muller du Plessis due to injuries.

Simelane’s switch sees Manuel Rass start in the midfield with Lyle Hendricks, while flanker PJ Steenkamp will join Dian Schoonees and Muller Uys in the loose trio, and Ruan Vermaak partners up with captain Salmaan Moerat at lock.

The other change in the starting team is at hooker, where Schalk Erasmus comes in for Daniel Jooste, who suffered a rib injury at training on Tuesday.

On the bench, versatile front-rower Tiaan van der Merwe provides cover at hooker, and David Coetzer, who joined the team in France on Tuesday morning, at flyhalf. They are both in line for their World Rugby Under-20 Championship debuts.

Winger Sihle Njezula, meanwhile, makes a welcome return to the match-day squad among the replacements after recovering from the ankle injury he suffered against Georgia.

“Unfortunately we had a few injuries, but we also looked at the group as a whole, and the players that are coming in deserve their places in the squad,” said Roux.

“This is a reward for all their hard work, and I believe they will make a big contribution.” – Own Correspondent