DHL Western Province centre EW Viljoen will earn a 1st starting berth for the Junior Springboks against Australia on Wednesday evening in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship Pool B decider in Calvisano, Italy.
He replaces Vodacom Blue Bulls centre JT Jackson, who played in the previous Championship outings against Italy and Samoa. Jackson drops out of the match-23.
Viljoen, who will anchor the midfield with provincial partner Daniel du Plessis, is 1 of 2 backline changes to the team that faced Samoa.
His WP team-mate Khanyo Ngcukana, who played against Italy in the opening match, reclaims his place in the starting-15 in place of Grant Hermanus on the right wing.
WP flank Jacques Vermeulen, who started 4 matches for the Junior Springboks in New Zealand last year and who came off the bench last Saturday, will start in the No 6 jersey. He switches places with Dan du Preez, who has been named among the replacements.
Dawie Theron, the Junior Springbok coach, said his team is well-prepared for the game.
“We have picked a very competitive side to face the quality Australian outfit. They showed with their 2 wins against Samoa and Italy that they are a huge threat, especially with the ball in hand, so we will have to work hard to counter their strong points,” said Theron.
The big South Africa Under 20 pack have been in impressive form at the tournament so far and Theron expects another good display from his forward unit.
“Our forwards are showing good form and the key for us will be to keep our momentum, reduce the number of errors and to create more opportunities for our backs,” said Theron.
South Africa and Australia are only separated by points’ difference at the top of the Pool B standings, and the winner will qualify automatically for the semifinals on 15 June. The pool winners and the best-placed 2nd team across the 3 respective groups will qualify for the semifinals.
The match starts at 20:30 SA & Italy Time (18:30 GMT) and will be televised live on SuperSport 1 & CSN. The other matches tonight in the Tournament will be televised on SuperSport 1 or on SuperSport 6 (if it is on at the same time as another match).
Teams:
South Africa Under 20: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Khanyo Ngcukana, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Daniel du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (Captain), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Retshegofaditswe ‘Ox’ Nche
Replacements: 16 Jan van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20 Dan du Preez, 21 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 22 Tinus de Beer, 23 Grant Hermanus.
Australia Under 20: 15 Jonah Placid, 14 Tyson Davis, 13 Sione Tuipoloutu, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Andrew Kellaway (Captain), 10 Andrew Deegan, 9 James Tuttle, 8 Adam Korczyk, 7 Michael Gunn, 6 Brad Wilkin, 5 Lukhan Lealaiauloto-tui, 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Matt Sandell, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Cameron Orr
Replacements: 16 Fereti Saaga, 17 Connal McInerney, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Riley Winter, 20 Sam Croke, 21 Harry Nucifora, 22 James Dalgleish, 23 Campbell Magnay.
Date: Wednesday 10 June
Venue: Stadio San Michele, Calvisano
Kick-Off: 20:30 SA Time (20:30 Italy Time, 18:30 GMT, Thursday 04:30 AEST)
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Elia Rizzo (Italy), Filippo Bertelli (Italy)
Australian go head-to head with South Africa at the Under-20 World Cup, with 1st place in Pool B and a semifinal berth up for grabs.
Australia is currently 2nd to South Africa in the Pool standings on points difference, despite both sides securing 2 bonus-point wins.
The winner of each of the 3 pools automatically qualify for the semifinals, with the next highest placed team earning the final position in the Top 4.
“South Africa will represent our biggest challenge to date at the World Cup and we are looking forward to the clash,” Australian Under 20 coach, Adrian Thompson, said.
“This match is crucial for us in terms of making the semifinals and although we have had strong periods in our 2 matches to date, we know we will need to come up with a committed 80 minute performance to beat South Africa.”