Ten changes for SA U20
The national selectors on Friday made ten changes and one positional switch to the South Africa U20 starting line-up that will take on the Argentina U20 team on Saturday at Newlands.
Golden Lions’ U19 fullback Garth April, who enjoyed a solid performance for the Baby Boks at fullback during their 39-7 win over the Argentineans on Wednesday, shifts to wing. Nico Scheepers, who represented the SA U20 in all three internationals against French invitational sides during the recent tour to France, will play fullback.
A new centre pair has been selected with Francois Venter (Blue Bulls) and Divan Ferguson (Golden Lions) replacing Ruan Combrink and Jaco Taute. Taute has been selected as one of the replacements.
Western Province U19 scrumhalf Louis Schreuder comes ahead of Frederick Muller, who is one of nine substitutes named for this international match.
Tighthead prop Marcell van der Merwe earns his second start of the week and will be joined up front by Monde Hadebe (hooker) and loosehead Brummer Badenhorst.
The team will again be captained by No.8 CJ Stander, who will be joined in the loose trio by Kenny Okafor and Rinus Riekert. A new lock combination has also been named with Sebastian de Chaves (Golden Lions) and Andries Ferreira (Blue Bulls) both earning starts.
“The national selectors have made quite a number of changes because we want to see as many players competing in international games as possible,” said SA U20 coach Eric Sauls.
“But we have all the confidence that the team selected for Saturday’s game will not let us down. We are slowly and confidently building up some nice momentum in preparation for the World Championship that takes place in June.
“We have also selected new combinations in the back three, at centre, at halfback, with the loose forwards, at lock and up front. So we definitely are where we want to be in terms of testing our intended combinations for the World Champs.
“Saturday’s game is important for us. We want to start trimming this squad by the end of the month, and after this game, we would have had a look at most of the players that are in contention for the final squad.”
SA U20: 15 Nico Scheepers, 14 Garth April, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Divan Ferguson, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Francois du Toit, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Kenny Okafor, 6 Rinus Riekert, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Marcell van der Merwe, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Brummer Badenhorst.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Melton, 17 Wessel du Randt, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Jono Ross, 20 Mlungisi Bali, 21 Frederick Muller, 22 Gary van Aswegen, 23 Clayton Blommetjies, 24 Jaco Taute.
Argentina U20: TBC
Date: Saturday, March 6
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 13.00 (11.00 GMT)
Referee: Ben Crouse (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Lusanda Jam (South Africa), Roslyn Fortuin (South Africa)
