Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux has made six changes to the starting XV for the third-place playoff against Argentina on Saturday.
Four players – David Kriel (centre), David Coetzer (flyhalf), Sanele Nohamba (scrumhalf) and Kudzwai Dube (prop) – earn their first starts of the competition, with the other new faces in the team flankers Celimpilo Gumede and Jaco Labuschagne.
They replace Marnus Potgieter (centre), James Mollentze (flyhalf), Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Sibusiso Sangweni, Dylan Richardson (both flanks) and Dian Bleuler (prop) respectively.
‘We suffered a few injuries in the last match, which forced us to make a few changes, but I also think it is important to get fresh players on the field who can inject a new energy into the side after a disappointing performance against France,’ said Roux.
‘Argentina will be very motivated, as always, and they will also have something to prove after losing in the semi-final in front of their home crowd. So, it is going to be a tough game, but we are looking forward to it.’
Junior Springboks – 15 Vaughan Isaacs, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 David Kriel, 12 Rickus Pretorius, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 David Coetzer, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi (c), 7 Celimpilo Gumede, 6 Jaco Labuschagne, 5 Elrigh Louw, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Kudzwai Dube.
Subs: 16 Dameon Venter, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Keagan Glade, 19 Thabiso Mdletshe, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Caleb Dingaan, 23 Jaden Hendrikse, 24 Janko Swanepoel, 25 Marnus Potgieter, 26 Zwelendaba Mnombo.
Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini/Gallo Image
