The Junior Springboks are set to take on Chile in Cape Town, with the match kicking off at 15:00 on Thursday. Earlier, Fiji will face Georgia at 13:00. Both matches will be broadcast live on YouTube.
Coach Kevin Foote has made significant changes to the team, retaining only eight players from the match-23 that played against New Zealand in the closing encounter of the Under-20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha. The Junior Bok training group will have more players gaining valuable international experience, as Foote aims to build squad depth.
Foote explained that the changes are an opportunity for players to gain experience, saying, “We are giving players who were not heavily involved in the Rugby Championship an opportunity to play and gain experience of international rugby.” He added that the players have worked hard during training and now have a chance to showcase their skills while representing their country.
The series is also a chance for the team to grow and build cohesion as they prepare for the Junior World Championship in Georgia next month. Foote expects Chile to be a tough opponent, saying, “We expect Chile to be a gritty and motivated opponent.”
Junior Springbok Team to Face Chile
The team to face Chile includes: Alzeadon Felix, Jade Muller, Olunje Mehlomakulu, Pieter van der Merwe, Lindsey Jansen, Vusi Moyo, Jayden Brits, Vuyo Gwiji, Gert Kemp, Risima Khosa (captain), JD Hattingh, Jaythen Orange, Luan van der Berg, Mahle Sithole, and Jordan Jooste.
The replacements are: Altus Rabe, Kai Pratt, Bongani Dlamini, Thomas Beling, Quintin Potgieter, Jandrian Goosen, Junaide Stuart, and Akhahluwa Boqwana.
