Bathobele Hlekani will shift from lock to flank in one in every of 5 modifications made to the Junior Springboks’ lineup for the U20 World Championship encounter with Argentina in Stellenbosch on Thursday.
Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko has tweaked the beginning XV for the second pool match, making 5 modifications to the run-on facet that began within the win over Fiji.
Thursday’s Pool C conflict on the Danie Craven Stadium will kick off at 7pm.
The inclusion of Bruce Sherwood (fullback) and Phillip-Albert van Niekerk (inside centre) are the modifications within the backline, instead of Michail Damon, who will sit out this conflict, and Josh Boulle, who has been included on the bench.
Amongst the forwards, Thabang Mphafi strikes from No 7 flanker to the opposite facet of the scrum to play within the No 6 jersey the place he replaces Sibabalwe Mahashe, who in flip strikes to the substitute bench.
Elsewhere within the beginning pack, Jaco Grobbelaar is ready to make his debut at lock instead of Hlekani, who will begin at flanker.
In the meantime, Nhleko has opted for a break up of six forwards and two backs on the bench in anticipation of an enormous battle up entrance with the highly effective Argentine pack.
“After we confronted them two months in the past in Australia, in addition to throughout a robust first-half exhibiting in opposition to England on Saturday (in Athlone), Argentina displayed their spectacular ahead energy, so we’ve to be ready to cope with that,” mentioned Nhleko.
Nhleko defined the variations to the match 23: “While we needed to maintain the backbone of the staff intact, we should handle the load of the gamers sensibly as a result of it is a demanding event as a result of brief turnaround time between matches and being adaptable in several circumstances.
“I’m happy for Jaco who missed the Australian tour with damage and his choice, coupled with the opposite tweaks, are a part of the method to clean up the staff and in addition adapting to how we need to play in opposition to completely different opposition.
“We have now a hardworking squad who’re all contributing positively even when not taking part in. They’re desperate to proceed with their studying, progress, and togetherness as a gaggle.”
Junior Springboks – 15 Bruce Sherwood, 14 Joel Leotela, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Philip-Albert van Niekerk, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Liam Koen, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Tiaan Jacobs, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Thabang Mphafi, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Jaco Grobbelaar, 3 Zachary Porthen (c), 2 Luca Bakkes, 1 Ruan Swart.
Subs: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Liyema Ntshanga 18 Casper Badenhorst, 19 Thomas Dyer, 20 Keanu Coetsee, 21 Sibabalwe Mahashe, 22 Tylor Sefoor, 23 Joshua Boulle.
Photograph: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Photos
