Mkhize to start against Kiwis
'New Zealand is the team to beat'
South African coach Peter de Villiers has named his team to play the New Zealand in the semi-final of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship at Stadium Marcel Michelin, Clermont Ferrand, France on Wednesday.
Sharks winger, Cedric Mkhize, will get his first start in this tournament and Marius Delport moves to fullback. Warren Malgas will start the game this time as scrum-half with Jano Vermaak playing from the bench.
In another move in the pack Pierre Spies moves from No.8 to flank in the place of Hilton Lobberts, who are still sore and bruised after the encounter against France. Ashley Johnson who started the first two games as the No.8 will again be in the position.
"Having seen all the teams played in this tournament I think New Zealand is the Team to beat," De Villiers said.
"We will go out there and do our best to make all in South Africa proud. We are well prepared and our focus is now just to overcome this hurdle."
"We came to France to represent our beloved country and to make everyone proud. There is no reason why we should not do exactly that,” Baby Boks captain Chiliboy Ralapelle said.
South Africa: 15 Marius Delport (vice-captain), 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Bradley Barritt, 11 Cedric Mkhize, 10 Isma-eel Dollie, 9 Warren Malgas, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Pierre Spies, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Nikolai Blignaut, 3 Sangoni Mxoli, 2 Chiliboy Ralapelle (captain), 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Scott Spedding, 22 Frank Wagenstroom.
