U20 Rugby Championship, Round Three - Teams and Predictions
PREVIEW: Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has opted for continuity for their Under-20 Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand on Saturday, making just one change to the matchday squad for the final encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
The only adjustment to the team that defeated Australia last weekend is on the replacements bench, where loose forward Risima Khosa returns in place of Gert Kemp in an otherwise settled squad.
South Africa, currently on top of the standings on 10 points, requires just a single log point from Saturday’s clash to clinch the U20 Rugby Championship title for the first time.
Despite New Zealand’s recent stumble against Argentina, Foote believes the rivalry with the Kiwis remains the ultimate challenge for any South African rugby player, and feels the stage is set for another classic encounter between the two traditional rivals in the Friendly City.
“For us in rugby, it doesn’t get better than South Africa versus New Zealand,” said Foote.
“They are our greatest rivals, and the opportunity to play them in front of the Gqeberha crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a privilege for everyone involved with the Junior Boks.
“We have huge respect for the New Zealanders and, like us, they will be highly motivated to end the tournament on a high.”
Continues below…
A combined total of more than 20,000 supporters attended the opening two rounds at the NMB Stadium, prompting Foote to emphasise the impact of home support.
“There is a unique energy that comes with playing in the Eastern Cape,” he said.
“We’ve felt the passion from the Gqeberha crowd since we arrived here two weeks ago, and having that passionate support behind us means a great deal to the team.”
Looking ahead to the final round, Foote stressed that the team’s focus extends beyond silverware: “Our objective on Saturday is about more than just the trophy – it’s about our growth and continuing the journey we’ve started with this group.
“These two teams have a history of producing memorable encounters when they meet, and it’s every South African rugby player’s dream to stand facing the haka and take on New Zealand.”
Foote added that he was pleased with the team’s preparation for the clash.
“We’ve had a good week of preparation. The players are excited for this massive challenge, and the staff have done a tremendous job in keeping the group close-knit and in a very positive space.
“Gqeberha is a wonderful venue to host an international tournament such as the U20 Rugby Championship, and the people of the Eastern Cape have been outstanding hosts.
“We hope to repay that support with a quality performance against our greatest rivals on Saturday,” he added.
*See all the teams and predictions listed below!
Argentina U20 v Australia U20
(Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha – Kick-off: 14.00 SAST; 09.00 ART; 22.00 AEST; 12.00 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: Argentina by three points
Teams
Argentina U20: 15 Simón Pfister, 14 Benjamin Ledesma Arocena, 13 Pedro Coll (captain), 12 Benjamín Ordiz, 11 Luciano Avaca, 10 Federico Serpa, 9 Juan Preumayr, 8 Federico Torre, 7 Jerónimo Sorondo, 6 Tomas Dande, 5 Bautista Benavides, 4 Joaquin Pascual Viale, 3 Bautista Salinas Mealla, 2 Manuel Cuneo Camargo, 1 Benjamin Farias Cerioni.
Replacements: 16 Nicolas Cambiasso, 17 Fabrizio Cebron, 18 Federico Narvaez, 19 Toribio Latorre, 20 Franco Marizza, 21 Ignacio Zabella, 22 Ramon Fernandez, 23 Manuel Giannantonio.
Australia U20: 15 Chayse Geros, 14 Taione Taka, 13 Leo Jaques, 12 Josh Takai, 11 Cooper Watters, 10 Jonty Fowler, 9 Sam Blank, 8 Eli Langi, 7 Tom Robinson (captain), 6 Luca Cleverley, 5 Kenneth Harris, 4 Will Ross, 3 Edwin Langi, 2 Ewald Kruger, 1 Jacob Job
Replacements: 16 Charlie Hollyman, 17 Nick Hill, 18 Jasper Asi, 19 Isaac Fonua, 20 Toby Brial, 21 Angus Grover, 22 Riley Whitfeld, 23 Louis Fenwicke
Referee: Christopher Allison
Assistant referees: Sean Muller, Lulutho Matomela
TMO: Marius Jonker
South Africa U20 v New Zealand U20
(Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha – Kick-off: 16.10 SAST; 14.10 GMT; Sunday, May 10 02.10 NZST)
Prediction
Rugby365: South Africa by 12 points
Teams
South Africa U20: 15 Akahluwa Boqwana, 14 Jack Benade, 13 Samuel Badenhorst, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Wasi Vyambwera, 6 Luke Canon, 5 Riley Norton (captain), 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Rambo Kubheka
Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 JD Hattingh, 20 Risima Khosa, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 Jade Muller
New Zealand U20: 15 Cohen Norrie, 14 Oliver Guerin, 13 Siale Pahulu, 12 Haki Wiseman, 11 Logan Williams, 10 Mika Muliaina, 9 Charlie Sinton, 8 Patrick Mauga, 7 Caleb Woodley, 6 Finn McLeod, 5 Jake Frost, 4 Max Fale, 3 Dane Johnston, 2 Josh Findlay, 1 Henry Stuart
Replacements: 16 Jericho Wharehinga, 17 Ethan Webber, 18 Alexander Hewitt, 19 Johnny Falloon, 20 Micah Fale, 21 Jackson Hughan, 22 David Lewai, 23 Kobe Brownlee
Referee: Ella Goldsmith
Assistant referees: Sean Muller, Lulutho Matomela
TMO: Marius Jonker
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