The South African Rugby Union (SARU) on Monday announced a near full-strength Junior Springbok team to face Argentina Under-20 on Tuesday in Stellenbosch in the second of three friendly internationals between the countries.
SA Under-20 coach Dawie Theron made 11 changes from the team that overwhelmed Los Pumitas in the first encounter between the sides last Friday in Saldanha Bay on the West Coast.
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Theron retained the lock pairing of JD Schickerling and Dan du Preez, as well as the front row duo of Dayan van der Westhuizen and Mox Mxoli.
Furthermore, several players who featured in the Vodacom Cup quarterfinals this past weekend were selected in the starting line-up for Tuesday’s clash.
They are Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Blue Bulls), André Esterhuizen (Cell C Sharks), Neil Maritz (Cell C Sharks), Cyle Brink (Golden Lions) and Schickerling (DHL Western Province).
According to Theron, the intention was always to field the strongest possible team in the match.
“With the exception of Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls) and Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks) who are busy with Vodacom Super Rugby commitments, this is as close as we could possibly get to selecting a full strength team,” explained Theron.
However, the SA U20 coach added his charges will have to brace themselves for a much stronger challenge from the Argentineans.
“We know from past experience that they have always delivered their best performance of the tour in the second match. Adding to that they will be hurting from their loss in Saldanha, and we can therefore expect a tough match against a highly motivated Argentina outfit,” added Theron.
The SA U20 coach said he was very pleased with the performance in Saldanha and also satisfied with the two training sessions on Sunday.
“The climate in New Zealand will be wet and the field conditions heavy underfoot, so the rain on Sunday was a welcome sight for us,” admitted Theron.
SA U20 team (against Argentinia U20 on Tuesday 6 May at the Paul Roos Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch at 15:00):
15. Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
14. Lloyd Greeff (Leopards)
13. Dan Kriel (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
12. Andre Esterhuizen (Cell C Sharks)
11. Niel Maritz (Cell C Sharks)
10. Jean Luc Du Plessis (Cell C Sharks)
9. JP Smith (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
8. Rikus Bothma(DHL Western Province)
7. Cyle Brink (Golden Lions)
6. Thabo Mabuza (Golden Lions)
5. JD Schickerling (DHL Western Province)
4. Dan Du Preez (Cell C Sharks)
3. Dayan van der Westhuizen (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
2. Malcolm Marx (Lions)
1. Mox Mxoli (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
*The replacements will be selected from the remaining training group members.