Junior Boks rotate squad for U20 Rugby Championship clash with Australia

Key facts

• Kevin Foote is head coach of the Junior Springboks.
• South Africa face Australia in Round Two of the U20 Rugby Championship on Sunday.
• The match is at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
• Three changes to the starting XV: Wasi Vyambwera at blindside flanker, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga on left wing, Akahluwa Boqwana at fullback.
• Luan van der Berg replaces the injured Kai Pratt on the bench.
• More than 10,000 spectators attended the opening round.
• New Zealand U20 face Argentina U20 earlier on Sunday at the same venue.

Foote rings changes after opening-round victory

Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has named his matchday squad for Sunday’s Under-20 Rugby Championship encounter against Australia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, making three rotational changes to the starting lineup that defeated Argentina in the opening round. The only alteration to the forward pack sees Wasi Vyambwera come in at blindside flanker, replacing Thomas Beling. In the backline, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga is preferred to Lindsey Jansen on the left wing, while Akahluwa Boqwana gets the nod at fullback ahead of Alzeadon Felix. On the bench, prop Luan van der Berg fills the gap left by the injured Kai Pratt, Gert Kemp provides loose forward cover in place of Risima Khosa, and Jade Muller replaces Rasivhaga as the reserve outside back.

Team focused on full 80-minute performance

Foote said the team had a productive week of preparation, reviewing their performance against Argentina and identifying areas for improvement. “While we are very pleased with the result and the way the players performed on defence and attack for long periods of the match, there are obviously aspects of our game that need improvement,” he stated. “Our focus is playing the full 80 minutes and ensuring that we stay on our game model to meet what will be a huge challenge against an Australian side that is well coached and who boasts strong skill sets across the park.” The Junior Boks will be aiming to maintain their winning momentum after a strong start to the tournament.

Eastern Cape fans expected to create electric atmosphere

More than 10,000 spectators attended the opening round of matches, and Foote expressed the team’s excitement at returning to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. “The support we received against Argentina last week was absolutely fantastic, and we are excited to be playing in front of the passionate Eastern Cape rugby fans once again,” he said. The venue has become a fortress for the Junior Boks, who will look to harness that energy against a dangerous Australian side. The match kicks off at 14:00 SAST (12:00 GMT).

Earlier clash: New Zealand U20 face Argentina U20

Before the South Africa-Australia encounter, New Zealand U20 take on Argentina U20 at the same stadium, with kick-off at 14:00 SAST (12:00 GMT; 09:00 ART; 00:00 NZST Monday). The Baby Blacks will be desperate to bounce back after surrendering their title in a loss to Argentina, a result that has sparked debate about the state of New Zealand rugby. Argentina’s famous victory over New Zealand was marked by ill-discipline from the Baby Blacks, who conceded numerous penalties. The match preview from Rugby365 predicts a New Zealand win by 15 points, but Argentina will be confident after their historic result.

Stakes high for all four teams in the championship

The U20 Rugby Championship is proving to be a tightly contested tournament, with each match carrying significant implications for the final standings. South Africa’s opening-round win over Argentina put them in a strong position, while Australia will be looking to recover from their defeat to the hosts. New Zealand’s loss to Argentina has raised questions about the depth of talent in the All Blacks pipeline, with some commentators suggesting the senior team could be in trouble if the under-20 side continues to struggle. The championship format sees each team play the others once, with the title going to the side with the most points after three rounds.

What comes next for the Junior Boks

After Sunday’s match, South Africa will face New Zealand in their final fixture of the championship, a match that could decide the title. Foote’s rotational policy suggests he is managing his squad carefully, ensuring key players are fresh for the crucial encounters ahead. The Junior Boks will be confident of maintaining their unbeaten record, but Australia pose a significant threat. With passionate home support and a well-drilled game plan, South Africa will aim to take another step towards the U20 Rugby Championship crown.

The bottom line

• South Africa made three changes to their starting XV for the Round Two match against Australia.
• Wasi Vyambwera, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, and Akahluwa Boqwana come into the side.
• Coach Kevin Foote emphasised the need for a full 80-minute performance.
• More than 10,000 fans attended the opening round, and similar support is expected.
• New Zealand face Argentina earlier on Sunday, with Argentina seeking to build on their famous victory.
• The Junior Boks will play New Zealand in their final match, potentially for the title.