Taute's World Cup chance
UJ back Jaco Taute has been named at outside centre in an exciting South African Under-20 starting line-up for Saturday’s IRB Junior World Championships opener against Tonga in Parana.
Taute – who only recently turned 19 – has already played Currie Cup and Super 14 rugby for the Lions, whilst he also made a few appearances in the 2010 Varsity Cup for the University of Johannesburg.
The UJ ace will line up in the SA Under-20 side with his university and Lions mate Wandile Mjekevu, whilst another Varsity Cup player, Shimlas tighthead prop Marcel van der Merwe, will also feature against Tonga (in the No.3 jersey).
Maties flanker Sam Mabombo – a member of the 2010 Varsity Cup-winning outfit – was initially meant to be part of this group, too, but he dropped out with an injury and has not travelled to Argentina.
“I am looking forward to see how the guys perform as this will be the first time that we will be fielding our strongest side,” said SA Under-20 coach Eric Sauls.
“But in saying that I also have to admit that any player in our 26-man squad is good enough to earn a start. There’s a healthy vibe within this squad and the players are hungry to play their first match here at the IRB World Championships.
“We’ve got three tough pool games within the next two weeks, so it’s important to start the tournament off with a solid performance against Tonga.”
Blue Bulls U19 No.8 CJ Stander – one of three players selected in the starting line-up who competed in the 2009 IRB Junior World Championships in Wales – will captain the South African Under-20 side.
Winger Sampie Mastriet (an SA Sevens player) and lock Kene Okafor are the other players who represented the ‘Baby Boks’ at last year’s tournament in Japan.
The South Africa Under-20 team (v Tonga): 15 Patrick Lambie, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 CJ Stander (captain), 7 Fanie van der Walt, 6 Siya 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 Peet Marais, 19 Mlungisi Bali, 20 Branco du Preez, 21 Adri Jacobs, 22 Nico Scheepers.
Date: Saturday, June 5
Venue: Club Atletico Estudiantes, Paraná
Kick-off: 2pm (7pm SA time)
Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland)
