Lions star Taute joins Baby Boks

Jaco Taute of the Lions is flying to Italy to join the Baby Boks at the Junior World Championships. He will replace Craig Barry who has a groin injury serious enough to rule him out.

Barry, who was on the bench for the opening match against Scotland, was injured at practice on Monday.

Taute was not originally considered for the team because of Super 15 commitments was available for selection because the Lions’ Super 15 season is over. He will join the team in Treviso on Wednesday.

SA Under-20 coach Dawie Theron commented: “It’s disappointing to lose a player at a tournament where there is a four-day turnaround, and our sympathy goes out to Craig who still has a bright future in rugby.

“Craig is one of a few players that have been part of our set-up this season that will have another opportunity to represent the Baby Boks at next year’s IRB Junior World Championships in South Africa. He has also been part of the Springbok Sevens structures for the past few months, and I am confident that he will easily slot back into their systems as soon as he has recovered from this injury.”

Speaking of Taute’s call-up, Theron added: “The injury to Craig affords someone else an opportunity at this level. Jaco represented the Baby Boks during last year’s IRB Junior World Championships, and has the necessary experience. He was not considered for selection to the SA Under-20 squad as we maintained a selection criterion that players had to attend local training camps to be considered for selection.

“Jaco did not attend any training camps because of Super Rugby commitments for the Lions. But their Super Rugby campaign has concluded and he is now available.

“He has been in excellent form this year at Super Rugby level, and his selection is a logical rugby choice as he still qualifies to represent the SA Under-20s this year.”