Changes galore as Norton leads SA U19 in No.7 jumper
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has made wholesale rotational changes to the SA Under-19 Academy matchday squad for Friday’s clash with Ireland U19 in Cork.
The SA U19s’ final encounter of their two-week European tour will kick off at 19.30 (21.30 SA time) at Virgin Media Park, the Cork home of Irish giants Munster, with a capacity of 8000 and an artificial 3G pitch.
In an effort to give every player in the tour squad game time, Foote has made four changes to the starting pack, another five tweaks to the backline, and a further six changes amongst the replacements.
In the only tweak to the tight five that performed so well against a well-drilled France U19 side last week in Chateauroux, Foote has decided to move captain Riley Norton from his regular position at lock to blindside flanker, with JD Hattingh promoted from the bench to the second row.
Norton completes a revamped loose trio alongside flanker Junior Rasima and No.8 Vuyo Gwiji.
Experienced Junior Bok flyhalf Vusi Moyo retains the No.10 jersey and will partner with Luan Giliomee in the halfbacks, from where they will direct a heavily rotated back division.
Lindsey Jansen swaps wings to take the No.11 jersey, and in the midfield, Janco Purchase will partner with Pieter van der Merwe.
Khuthadzo Rasivhago shifts from outside centre to right wing, while Dylan Miller slots in at fullback, having started on the left wing last week in France.
The SA U19s had an intensive training session on Tuesday afternoon, quickly acclimatising to the notoriously cold and wet conditions at their training base in Cork.
Foote said that after two productive weeks on tour, they are eager to finish their European visit strongly.
“After playing France, we are now facing Ireland, and we know how passionate their supporters are over here,” said Foote.
“Considering the difficult local conditions, we know we are in for a proper challenge, and that’s exactly the kind of learning curve we need.”
Regarding his selection for the tour-ending clash, Foote explained: “We are specifically giving players who didn’t feature against France last weekend an opportunity.
“We are building crucial positional depth, and it’s important that everyone on this tour gets the chance to wear the Green and Gold.”
Foote added that the tour provided his young charges with invaluable experience: “It’s been a great tour in terms of spending quality time together, connecting with each other, and understanding more about our game.
“Now, we have to take those hard-earned lessons from France and apply them directly against Ireland.
“It’s a great challenge, and we are looking forward to the game, where the locals will no doubt support the Irish feverishly.
“We expect the conditions to be tough, but we are ready for the opportunity to play Ireland,” added Foote.
SA U19 Academy: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 13 Janco Purchase, 12 Pieter van der Merwe (vice-captain), 11 Lindsey Jansen, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Luan Giliomee, 8 Vuyo Gwiji, 7 Riley Norton (captain), 6 Junior Rasima, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Oliver Reid
Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, 18 Ulrich van der Merwe, 19 Tom Barnard, 20 KB Maake, 21 Liam van Wyk, 22 Brooklyn Newman, 23 Akahluwa Boqwana.
