Norton returns as Foote shuffles deck once more

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has continued with his rotational policy when he named a reshuffled match-day squad for South Africa’s final Under-20 International Series encounter against Georgia in Stellenbosch on Saturday, with regular captain Riley Norton back in the starting team.

The match will take place at Paul Roos Gymnasium’s Markötter Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 14.30 (SAST), before Chile and Fiji face off from 16.30.

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Norton is back in the team after missing the opening match against Chile because of his involvement at the Springbok alignment camp.

He resumes the captaincy in one of several changes to the side that secured an emphatic 82-25 victory over Fiji on Tuesday.

Vusi Moyo will start his third consecutive game at flyhalf after a prolific showing in the opening two rounds, where he slotted 22 conversions and marshalled his backline impressively.

Luan Giliomee is also preferred with another start at fullback after scoring a hat-trick of tries against Fiji.

Operating in the midfield next to Moyo will be Yaqeen Ahmed and Samuel Badenhorst, both of whom excelled in the Junior Boks’ successful 2026 Rugby Championship campaign a few weeks ago in Gqeberha.

In the loose trio, Quintin Potgieter and Luke Cannon are once again included in the starting line-up.

Potgieter shifts to No.8, while Cannon moves to the side of the scrum. Oliver Reid, previously used off the bench, gets the nod as one of the two starting props in the reshuffled front row.

Several players who had starting roles in the first two matches, including JD Hattingh (lock), Gert Kemp (loose forward), Jayden Brits (scrumhalf), Pieter van der Merwe (centre) and Alzeadon Felix (fullback), are set to make an impact from the bench against the Georgians.

Apart from rotation, the Junior Boks have been forced into several changes due to a number of injury concerns.

Jordan Jooste (prop), Jaythen Orange (lock), Christian Vorster (centre), and Jade Muller (wing) all sustained niggles against Fiji and were not considered for selection.

They join an injury list that includes Esethu Mnebelele (hooker), Kai Pratt (prop), Wasi Vyambwera, Vuyo Gwiji, Risima Khosa (all loose forwards), Ethan Adams and Markus Muller (both centres), Cheswill Jooste (wing), and Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback), all of whom are currently undergoing rehabilitation.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash, Foote expressed confidence in his squad depth and anticipation for a physical contest.

“Niggles are part of the game, and we are fortunate to have built strong squad depth through our planning since coming together as a group,” said Foote.

“Although several players are unavailable due to injuries and ongoing rehabilitation, we are confident that we’ve selected a quality squad for what will be a strong challenge against a very physical Georgian outfit.”

South Africa and Georgia have developed a healthy rugby relationship in recent years. Georgia have been regular participants in the Under-18 International Series, while the Junior Boks toured the European country earlier this year for a two-match series.

While the SA U20s remain unbeaten against their European counterparts, Georgia have proved consistently competitive, and Foote is expecting another intense battle up front.

The Junior Bok coach said they need to further improve despite convincing victories over Chile and Fiji.

“We want to keep reducing errors and lapses in concentration,” he said.

“We will continue to work hard on our fundamentals, which are core to our DNA; understanding and implementation of our game model; and building cohesion as we build towards the Junior World Championship.

“Our rotational selection policy sees most players who played in the U20 Rugby Championship now return for Saturday’s match.

“The injuries to Markus, Ethan and Christian mean we have a new midfield combination of Yaqeen and Samuel, both of whom performed very well for us in the recent Rugby Championship.

“This match against a competitive Georgian side gives us another valuable opportunity to play in front of our home supporters, continue to build squad depth and gain important international experience.”

Junior Springboks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Jack Benade, 13 Samuel Badenhorst, 12 Yaqeen Ahmed, 11 Khuthadzo Rashivaga, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Hendre Schoeman, 8 Quintin Potgieter, 7 Luke Cannon, 6 Kebotile Maake, 5 Riley Norton (captain), 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Oliver Reid
Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Rambo Kubheka, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 JD Hattingh, 20 Gert Kemp, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Pieter van der Merwe, 23 Alzeadon Felix

Date: Saturday, May 30
Venue: Markotter Stadium, Stellenbosch
Kick-off: 14.30 SAST (16.30 GET; 12.30 GMT)
Referee: Diogo Inácio
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: Quinton Immelman