Junior Boks opt for consistency for Final
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Junior Springboks have named an unchanged matchday outfit for Saturday’s much-anticipated World Rugby Under-20 Championship Final against New Zealand in Rovigo, Italy.
Lock Riley Norton will once again lead a familiar-looking side that has featured in most of the pool matches, as well as Monday’s semifinal victory over Argentina.
The unchanged line-up means the bench will again feature a split of six forwards and two backs in what promises to be an epic battle between the two southern hemisphere rivals.
Saturday’s decider marks the Junior Boks’ first appearance in the Final since 2014, and it’s a repeat of the 2012 Final in which South Africa beat New Zealand at Newlands in Cape Town.
The SA U20s have been in rampant form throughout the Championship in Italy, posting comprehensive wins over Australia, defending champions England, and Scotland in the group stage, followed by a hard-earned victory over a gritty Argentina in the semifinals on Monday.
South Africa’s dynamic pack of forwards has laid an excellent platform for their electric backline to score some eye-catching tries.
The Junior Bok halfback pairing of scrumhalf Haashim Pead and flyhalf Vusi Moyo are amongst the tournament’s leading points scorers.
Pead has scored six tries in four games, the most by any player so far this year, while also providing numerous assists for teammates.
Moyo has racked up 50 points across his four appearances, placing him at the top of the overall points scoring chart.
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New Zealand, like South Africa, are unbeaten in the tournament, having topped Pool B before dispatching a dangerous French side in the semifinals to set up an exciting showdown with the Junior Boks.
South Africa: 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Xola Nyali, 5 JJ Theron, 4 Riley Norton (captain), 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Simphiwe Ngobese.
Replacements: 16 Jaundré Schoeman, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Stephanus Linde, 22 Ceano Everson, 23 Dominic Malgas.
Date: Saturday, July 19
Venue: Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo
Kick-off: 20.30; (20.30 SAST; 18.30 GMT; Sunday, July 20 06.30 NZST)
Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Assistant referees: Jérémy Rozier (France), Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)
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