Wing Likhona Finca earns his first start for the Junior Springboks in one of seven changes to the starting lineup for the do-or-die U20 World Championship clash with England in Athlone on Tuesday.
The Junior Springbok team to face England in a vital Pool C match shows several changes from the lineup that suffered a defeat to Argentina.
The final group encounter kicks off at 7pm.
Finca, who scored a try off the bench in the first pool match against Fiji, will make his first start for the SA U20s at right wing, while Herman Lubbe (tighthead prop) is set to earn his first Junior Bok cap off the bench.
Finca’s inclusion, in place of Joel Leotlela in the No 14 jersey, is one of three changes amongst backs. Michail Damon is back in the starting line-up, as fullback in place of Bruce Sherwood, while Josh Boulle got the nod at inside centre over Phillip-Albert van Niekerk.
The pack of forwards show a further four. Casper Badenhorst rotates at loosehead prop with Ruan Swart; Thomas Dyer will start at lock, with Jaco Grobbelaar named on the bench; Sibabalwe Mahashe moves up from the bench and will start at flanker; and Thabang Mphafi moves from the side of the scrum to No 8.
Junior Boks head coach Bafana Nhleko said his team realises the magnitude of Tuesday’s game and they are ready for the big battle, having put the Argentina disappointment firmly behind them.
“For us it was about getting stuck into our processes and fixing a few areas from the Argentina game, ensuring we get our energy and focus back, for what is an important game for us” said Nhleko.
“We are mentally prepared and know the scale of this encounter and we are ready to meet the challenge of an England side that’s full of confidence following two wins.
“The players pride themselves on representing South Africa and they want to deliver an improved performance.”
Junior Springboks — 15 Michail Damon, 14 Likhona Finca, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Joshua Boulle, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Liam Koen, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Thabang Mphafi, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Sibabalwe Mahashe, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Thomas Dyer, 3 Zachary Porthen (c), 2 Luca Bakkes, 1 Casper Badenhorst.
Subs: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Liyema Ntshanga, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Tiaan Jacobs, 21 Divan Fuller, 22 Tylor Sefoor, 23 Phillip-Albert van Niekerk.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
