Injured Taute drops out
South Africa Under-20 coach Eric Sauls has made three changes and one positional switch to his side that will play Scotland at the IRB Junior World Championships in Sante Fe on Wednesday at 7pm (SA time).
In the big team news, FNB UJ star Jaco Taute (who played Varsity Cup and Super 14 rugby this year) has been ruled out with an injury, along with Bok Sevens flyer Sampie Mastriet and flanker Fanie van der Walt – all three suffering minor niggles in the ‘Baby Boks’ 40-14 victory over Tonga on Saturday.
Centre Branco du Preez – who made his debut for the Springbok Sevens team during this year’s IRB Sevens World Series – comes in for Taute, Sharks winger Sibusiso Sithole replaces Mastriet in the No.11 shirt and Blue Bulls forward Mlungisi Bali will deputise for Van der Walt.
Francois Venter, who scored one of the ‘Baby Boks’ four tries in their win over Tonga at the weekend, will team up with Du Preez at centre, whilst Sithole joins Super 14 stars Patrick Lambie and Wandile Mjekevu in an exciting back three.
The changes to the side will mean that the South African juniors will boast a new-look back three, midfield and loose forward combination for Wednesday’s crucial Pool C clash.
However, despite those changes, the other Varsity Cup player in the mix, Shimlas tighthead Marcel van der Merwe, will once again line-up for the ‘Baby Boks’ as they go hunting silverware in Argentina.
“It’s important that we maintain our momentum in this tournament,” said SA Under-20 coach Eric Sauls.
“We have four more games during the next two weeks or so, so we felt it necessary not to risk any of the players who suffered minor niggles after the Tonga game.”
Speaking about the untimely injuries, Sauls added: “According to my medical team, I can confirm though that Jaco, Sampie and Fanie should all be available for selection for the Australia game on Sunday.”
The SA Under-20 team: 15 Patrick Lambie, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Branco du Preez, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 CJ Stander (captain), 7 Mlungisi Bali, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 4 Kene Okafor, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Brummer Badenhorst.
Replacements: 16 Francois du Toit, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Wessel du Rand, 19 Peet Marais, 20 Lubabalo Mtembu, 21 Adri Jacobs, 22 Nico Scheepers.
