Share

Roux shuffles team for U20 Champs bronze playoff

Cape Town - Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux shuffled his team for their World Rugby U20 Championship bronze playoff at the Racecourse Stadium in Rosario on Saturday.

David Kriel (centre), David Coetzer (flyhalf), Sanele Nohamba (scrumhalf) and Kudzwai Dube (prop) have earned their first starts in the competition.

Roux made six changes to the starting XV that ran out against France in the semi-final, with the other new faces in the team to face Argentina being flankers Celimpilo Gumede and Jaco Labuschagne.

They replace Marnus Potgieter (centre), James Mollentze (flyhalf), Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Sibusiso Sangweni, Dylan Richardson (both flankers) 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.

The coach expects Argentina to deliver a passionate performance in front of their home crowd and said: "They 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."

With the match wrapping up the team's campaign, Roux said his charges were determined to finish the competition on a winning note.

"Every game in this competition is important for us, it doesn't make a difference if it is the first or the last game," said Roux. "Our plans are in place and we will have some fresh players on the field, so hopefully we can finish the tournament on a good note."

The match kicks off at 18:00 (SA Time) and will be followed by the final between France and Australia and 20:30 (SA Time).

Meanwhile, South African referee Rasta Rasivhenge has been appointed as an assistant referee for the matches between Scotland and Fiji and Ireland and New Zealand respectively at Old Resians Club in Rosario.

Junior Springbok team to face Argentina:

15 Vaughen Isaacs (Blue Bulls), 14 Angelo Davids (SA Rugby contracted), 13 David Kriel (Western Province), 12 Rikus Pretorius (vice-captain - Western Province), 11 Thaakir Abrahams (Sharks), 10 David Coetzer (Western Province), 9 Sanele Nohamba (Sharks), 8 Phendulani Buthelezi (captain - Sharks), 7 Celimpilo Gumede (Sharks), 6 Jaco Labuschagne (Blue Bulls), 5 Elrigh Louw (Free State), 4 JJ van der Mescht (Sharks), 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Golden Lions), 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha (Sharks), 1 Kudzwai Dube (Blue Bulls)

Substitutes: 16 Dameon Venter (Golden Lions), 17 Dian Bleuler (Western Province), 18 Keagan Glade (Golden Lions), 19 Thabiso Mdletshe (Sharks), 20 Dylan Richardson (Sharks), 21 Sibusiso Sangweni (Golden Lions), 22 Caleb Dingaan (Sharks), 23 Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), 24 Janko Swanepoel (Blue Bulls), 25 Marnus Potgieter (Blue Bulls), 26 Zwelendaba Mnombo (Western Province)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
50% - 7 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
50% - 7 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE