Kolbe at fullback for Baby Boks
Western Province star Cheslin Kolbe has been named at fullback for the South African Under-20 team's final outing before the IRB Junior World Championship in France next month.
The Baby Boks will face the senior Namibian team in Stellenbosch on Saturday.
Although several players will miss the clash because of injury, Blue Bulls flank Ruan Steenkamp will lead a starting fifteen that includes the exciting attacking talents of Robert du Preez (flyhalf), Seabelo Senatla (wing), Justin Geduld (centre) and Kolbe (fullback).
Kolbe, in particular, has been in impressive form for the Western Province team, which reached the Vodacom Cup semifinals.
The players who were not considered because of injury are Hanco Venter (scrumhalf), Handré Pollard (flyhalf), Dries Swanepoel (centre), Jan Serfontein (centre) and Sergeal Petersen (wing).
The match is the last outing for the SA U20 team before they head to France to defend the title they won on home soil last year.
Dawie Theron, the SA U20 coach, said he was looking forward to seeing the Baby Boks in action.
"Namibia will pose a huge physical challenge, which will be very good for our boys," Theron said.
"We need another good workout before we leave for France and this match will give us a wonderful opportunity to test our various combinations."
Theron said that despite the several injuries amongst the backs, his team still packs some very good firepower in the attacking department.
"We are really fortunate to have such big a pool of very good attacking players and I am really excited and looking to see them in action. However, the backs can only play display their true potential if the forwards do their job," added Theron.
The team will have one more training session on Thursday, before moving camp to Stellenbosch.
South Africa Under-20: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Luther Obi, 13 Justin Geduld, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Dennis Visser, 4 Irne Herbst, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel.
Replacements: 16 Sti Sithole, 17 Mike Willemse, 18 Jannes Kirsten, 19 Roelof Smit, 20 Percy Williams, 21 Sylvian Mahuza, 22 Jacques Rossouw, 23 Luhan de Bruin.
Date: Saturday, May 11
Venue: Paul Roos Markötter Stadium, Stellenbosch
Kick-off: 14.50 (12.50 GMT)
Referee: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
