Junior Boks name powerful line-up for WR U20 semifinal

After making a few rotational changes for their last Pool A match against Scotland, which the SA Under-20s won by 73-14 in Calvisano, Foote has selected mainly the same combination that defeated Australia and England in their first two group games.

For Monday’s important knockout match with Los Pumitas, Demitre Erasmus is back at outside centre after missing the England clash due to illness and coming off the bench against Scotland.

Jaco Williams is retained at left wing for his second start in a row since replacing Siya Ndlozi, who returned home with a hamstring injury sustained against England.

The Junior Bok pack remains the same as the combination that faced Australia and England, with Norton leading a starting team that have impressed with their physicality and ability to create plenty of scoring opportunities with their speedy outside backs.

However, Foote has opted for six forwards and two backs on the bench for the semifinal in a bid to use their explosive forwards and attack the Argentina pack, with No 8 Stephanus Linde now the extra forward among the replacements.

Foote said it was a tough task to select the team to face Argentina: “It was so difficult to leave out anybody because the players did so well against Scotland. My message to those who weren’t selected for the match-23 is to help us prepare the starting team as best as we can.”

According to Foote, Argentina’s forward prowess will be a huge test for the SA Under-20s, which is one of the reasons why he has decided to go with a six-two split on the bench.

“The Argentineans are very confrontational and physical, and they play with lots of passion,” he said. “We know we are in for a fight which is why we went for six forwards on the bench, because we have so much respect for them.”

The SA Under-20s are one of three southern hemisphere teams in the world championship semifinals, alongside Argentina and New Zealand, who face France in their playoff at 6pm.

The Junior Boks’ match will kick off at 8:30pm and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

TEAM TO FACE ARGENTINA IN VIADANA:

15 Gilermo Mentoe

14 Cheswill Jooste

13 Demitre Erasmus

12 Albie Bester

11 Jaco Williams

10 Vusi Moyo

9 Haashim Pead

8 Wandile Mlaba

7 Bathobele Hlekani

6 Xola Nyali

5 JJ Theron

4 Riley Norton (captain)

3 Herman Lubbe

2 Siphosethu Mnebelele

1 Simphiwe Ngobese

Replacements:

16 Jaundré Schoeman

17 Oliver Reid

18 Jean Erasmus

19 Jaco Grobbelaar

20 Matt Romao

21 Ceano Everson

22 Dominic Malgas

23 Stephanus Linde