Bosch is back for Junior Boks’ Argentina clash

JUNIOR Springbok star Curwin Bosch will take his place at No 10 for their final pool match against Argentina today (kick-off 1.15pm)

Bosch is one of three changes to Chean Roux’s starting line-up, and the other changes will see the lock pairing of Ruben van Heerden and Hendre Stassen drafted into the starting XV.

Bosch replaces Manie Libbok at flyhalf, while Libbok switches to fullback in the place of Jeanluc Cilliers, who moves to the bench.

Van Heerden, who missed the clash against Georgia after taking a knock against France, replaces Reinhard Nothnagel, while Stassen takes over from Salmaan Moerat.

Flanker Muller Uys, who joined the team in Georgia on Sunday morning as an injury replacement for Nama Xaba, will start on the bench in place of Zain Davids, who is serving a two-match suspension.

“We looked at the opposition, how fresh the players are, and their availability, and we feel that this is the best team for the Argentina clash,” said Roux.

“We are fortunate that all the players can play at any time and they are ready and willing to produce the goods, so our focus was not necessarily on continuity, but rather on winning the match.”

And although Roux should be confident about the play that his team produced at certain stages during their 38-14 win over hosts Georgia on Sunday, he is well aware of the challenge that awaits them against Argentina today and that an all-round performance will be needed to come out on top.

“I think Argentina will play a fastpaced game, but they also have a good scrum, so we need to be up for that,” said Roux.

“Our defence also has to be sharp, and we need to play in the right areas. The Georgians played a slow game and we couldn’t get out of our half.”

The top team in each of the three pools will advance to the semi-final, along with the next best placed team on the log standings.