Hanro Liebenberg
Junior Springbok coach Dawie Theron stuck mainly to the combinations that earned him a 2 – 0 series win in Argentina as he announced his team to start against Italy on Tuesday.
No 8 Hanro Liebenberg will lead out a Junior Springbok match-23 sprinkled with several players who also took part in last year’s event in New Zealand, where they lost by a single point against defending champions England.
Sharks prop Thomas du Toit will anchor the scrum and is 1 of the players that will participate in his 2nd successive tournament, as well as lock Abongile Nonkontwana (Blue Bulls) and Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks). Another survivor from last year, Joseph Dweba (hooker, Cheetahs), will play off the bench.
Theron opted for a strong forward pack while the backline has a settled look.
Warrick Gelant is also returning for his 2nd tournament in a row and the Springbok Sevens international starts in the No 15 jersey. Much is expected of the centre pairing of JT Jackson (Blue Bulls) and Daniel du Plessis (Western Province), in particular.
“This is a well balanced team and the squad is in good shape overall. We have done a lot of mental preparation for this match because Italy will come out fighting all the way,” said coach Theron.
South Africa Under 20: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Khanyo Ngcukana, 13 Daniel du Plessis, 12 JT Jackson, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (Captain), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Rikus Bothma, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Abongile Nonkontwana, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Jan van der Merwe, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Njabulo Gumede, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Dan du Preez, 21 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 22 Tinus de Beer, 23 Malcolm Jaer.
- Date: Tuesday 2 June
- Venue: Stadio San Michele, Calvisano
- Kick-Off: 20:30 SA Time (20:30 Italy Time, 18:30 GMT)
- Referee: Gary Conway (Ireland)
- Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Stefano Pennè (Italy)