Junior Boks shuffle team for big England clash

The Junior Springbok team to face England on Tuesday at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town in a vital Pool C match of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, show several changes from the line-up that faced Argentina.

The final group encounter kicks off at 19h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Likhona Finca will make his debut for the SA U20s at right wing, while Herman Lubbe (tighthead prop) is set to earn his first Junior Bok cap off the bench.

Finca’s inclusion, in the place of Joel Leotlela in the No 14 jersey, is one of three changes among backs. Michail Damon is back in the starting line-up, as fullback in place of Bruce Sherwood, while Josh Boulle got the nod at inside centre over Phillip-Albert van Niekerk.

The pack of forwards show a further four changes. Casper Badenhorst rotates at loosehead prop with Ruan Swart; Thomas Dyer will start at lock, with Jaco Grobbelaar named on the bench; Sibabalwe Mahashe moves up from the bench and will start at flanker; and Thabang Mphafi moves from the side of the scrum to No 8.

The #JuniorBoks team for their massive final pool clash in the #WorldRugbyU20s - more here: https://t.co/PrFnm5R4En 💥#JourneyToGreatness pic.twitter.com/hi9FSlULqh

— SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) July 7, 2024

Junior Boks head coach Bafana Nhleko said his team realises the magnitude of Tuesday’s game and they are ready for the big battle, having put the Argentina disappointment firmly behind them.

“For us it was about getting stuck into our processes and fixing a few areas from the Argentina game, ensuring we get our energy and focus back, for what is an important game for us” said Nhleko.

“We are mentally prepared and know the scale of this encounter and we are ready to meet the challenge of an England side that’s full of confidence following two wins.

“The players pride themselves on representing South Africa and they want to deliver an improved performance.”

Team to face England

15 Michail Damon

14 Likhona Finca

13 Jurenzo Julius

12 Joshua Boulle

11 Litelihle Bester

10 Liam Koen

9 Asad Moos

8 Thabang Mphafi

7 Bathobele Hlekani

6 Sibabalwe Mahashe

5 JF van Heerden

4 Thomas Dyer

3 Zachary Porthen (captain)

2 Luca Bakkes

1 Casper Badenhorst

Replacements

16 Ethan Bester

17 Liyema Ntshanga

18 Herman Lubbe

19 Jaco Grobbelaar

20 Tiaan Jacobs

21 Divan Fuller

22 Tylor Sefoor

23 Phillip-Albert van Niekerk