Pollard at 12 for Baby Boks
2012 Junior World Cup winning flyhalf Handré Pollard has been selected at inside centre for South Africa Under-20 for their opening match of the 2013 JWC against the USA.
Pollard has played for much of the season for the Blue Bulls and UP-Tuks at inside centre which means that he is no stranger to the role at all.
Pollard is the only survivor of the Class of 2012.
Blue Bulls forward Ruan Steenkamp will captain the side from the back of the scrum in the No.8 jersey.
The rest of the team has a rather familiar look because of the number of training and tour matches the players have played together this year in preparation for the JWC.
The backline includes a trio of Springbok Sevens players, namely Cheslin Kolbe, Justin Geduld and Seabelo Senatla.
Junior Springbok coach, Dawie Theron, said his troops are raring to go: "The players are eager to get going and to get the first match under the belt. Our preparations have gone very well and there is a nice vibe in the squad. The players have all worked extremely hard to be here and our preparations have also been good.
"This is an extremely tough competition and you will have to be on your best in every match. Tomorrow it will be the first outing for both teams and I know the USA will be very determined are raring to go against us," said Theron.
South Africa Under-20: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Luther Obi, 13 Justin Geduld, 12 Handré Pollard, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Dennis Visser, 4 Irné Herbst, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel.
Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Aidon Davis, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Hanco Venter, 21 Dries Swanepoel, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Marné Coetzee.
Date: Wednesday, 5 June
Venue: Stade Henri Desgrange, La Roche-sur-Yon
Kick-off: 20.45 (18.45 GMT)
Referee: Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
Assistant referees: Dudley Phillips (Ireland), Christophe Dutreuilh (France).
