JUNIOR BOKS RING THE CHANGES FOR DRAGONS
JUNIOR Springbok coach Chean Roux has made six changes to his starting team to face Wales at Cardiff Arms Park today in a bid to get all his players on the park.
Most of the changes were rotational as he looks to ensure that the players get the necessary game time before the World Rugby U20 Championship.
The team features a new centre pairing of Manuel Rass and Lyle Hendricks, while scrumhalf Zak Burger will join forces with former Grey High star Lubabalo Dobela at halfback in the three changes to backline.
The switches in the pack see a new-look front row with prop Nathan McBeth and hooker Schalk Erasmus starting alongside Sazi Sandi, who retains his place in the starting XV.
Ben-Jason Dixon joins captain Salmaan Moerat in the second row.
Only one of the changes was enforced by injury, 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 as cover for Damian Willemse, who will remain with the Stormers until the team assembles for their World Rugby U20 Championship camp.
“The World Rugby U20 Championship is drawing closer, so we have to ensure that everyone is ready for the tournament,” Roux said.
He expected a testing encounter against Wales and said: “Wales will pose different challenges to Scotland. The set phases will again be vital in laying a solid foundation.”
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.
The team to face Wales is: 15 Gianni Lombard (Lions), 14 Tyrone Green (Lions), 13 Manuel Rass (Lions), 12 Lyle Hendricks (WP), 11 Sihle Njezula (WP); 10 Lubabalo Dobela (Free State), 9 Zak Burger (Sharks), 8 Muller Uys (WP), 7 PJ Steenkamp (Lions), 6 Dian Schoonees (Lions), 5 Ben-Jason Dixon (WP), 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt, WP), 3 Sazi Sandi (WP), 2 Schalk Erasmus (WP), 1Nathan McBeth (Lions). Replacements: 16 Daniel Jooste (WP), 17 Tiaan van der Merwe (Lions), 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), 19 Cohen Kiewit(Lions), 20 Ruan Nortje (Blue Bulls), 21 Phendulani Buthelezi (Sharks), 22 Jack Hart (Lions), 23 Wandisile Simelane (Lions), 24 David Coetzer (WP), 25 Rikus Pretorius (WP).