Rugby Championship Combined XV - Young Guns

The Rugby Championship is 4 days away and following the squad announcements by each coach we had a look at the youngsters included and put together a very dangerous team consisting of players 23 years old and younger.

1 - Thomas du Toit (South Africa)

Seen now as a tighthead, du Toit started his career as a loosehead and makes the side in the 1 jumper. He is big, a strong ball carrier and has started making his mark this season at scrum time following a baptism of fire.

2 - Brandon Paega-Amosa (Australia)

The Reds hooker is a product of the NRC and made his international debut against Ireland earlier this year. 

Paega-Amosa's journey to the Wallabies jersey is one of the feel-good stories of 2018 after working as a garbage man. 

The mobile hooker scored 4 Super Rugby tries this season and has a bright future. 

His fellow teammate and friend Folau Faingaa rivalled the Reds hooker for a place in the side.

3 - Taniela Tupou (Australia)

The 'Tongan Thor' needs little introduction after setting the internet alight with his school performances. The 135kg prop not only has bulk on his side but he is extremely quick and agile too.

Michael Chieka wasted no time getting him involved with the Wallabies just days after he qualified through residency. Tupou's form in Super Rugby was also rewarded with a place in the Team of the Season. 

4 - RG Snyman (South Africa)

The Bulls lock has had a stand out season and has not looked back after making his Springbok debut this year against England. The hard-hitting enforcer made 94 carries in the 2018 Super Rugby campaign under John Mitchell.

Snyman will battle Franco Mostert, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth for a place in the Bok squad but will certainly not disappoint when given an opportunity. 

5 - Guido Petti (Argentina)

A hard-working lock with just 7 missed tackles in Super Rugby this season, Petti has been a stand out for the Jaguares and the Pumas. Besides his lineout abilities, he is a great runner with ball in hand. An asset in the tight and loose phases of the game. Petti showed off these skills in the Jaguares clash with the Stormers this year scoring a brilliant try.

6 - Marcos Kremer (Argentina)

Making his international debut 2 years ago, Kremer has grown from strength to strength for his country and the Jaguares in Super Rugby.

At 1.95cm tall Kremer comfortably plays in the second row and is one of the best rising stars in World Rugby.

7 - Marco van Staden (South Africa)

Having featured in all the Bulls Super Rugby games this season after catching the eye in the 2017 Currie Cup, van Staden missed out on a Springbok debut against England due to injury but will feature in this year's Rugby Championship for South Africa.

He is a talented flanker who is a menace at the breakdown winning 16 turnovers during his debut Super Rugby season and will aid the Boks in that area in the absence of Duane Vermeulen. 

8 - Jean-Luc du Preez (South Africa)

The Kearsney College old boy has played for SA A and the SA U20 sides. He is a robust carrier and 110kg powerhouse. 

du Preez breaks the mould of regular Springbok loose forwards with his ability to link up with his fellow teammates one of his strongest attributes, du Preez completed more offloads than any other during the 2018 Super Rugby season.

9 - Embrose Papier (South Africa)

A Commonwealth Youth Games 7's gold medalist, Papier has had eyes on him since his school days and many regard him as one of the most talented scrum half's in South Africa.

Papier's electric pace and bullet passes make him an extremely dangerous threat and the youngster is a like-for-like replacement for Faf de Klerk.

10 - Damian McKenzie (New Zealand)

McKenzie needs no introduction. The All Black playmaker claims the 10 jersey ahead of the exciting South African, Damian Willemse.

The Chiefs star scored 6 tries this season and beat 74 defenders in the 2018 Super Rugby season and was subsequently named the Super Rugby Player of the Year for the second year running.

11 - Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)

Regarded the best-left wing in world rugby, Ioane is another All Black beating a Springbok to our team sheet as Aphiwe Dyantyi misses out. Ioane played in a number of positions this season but it is difficult to find a better player when he wears the 11 jumper. His try-scoring record speaks for itself having scored 14 tries in 13 appearances. 

12 - Reece Hodge (Australia)

The Wallaby with the canon boot has also moved around the backline a bit over the last 2 seasons but he makes the side at 12 flanked by McKenzie and Lienert-Brown. Hodge is expected to get an extended run in the midfield during the Rugby Championship with the Wallabies dealing with injuries in the centres.

13 - Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand)

One of the most naturally talented players on this list, the Chiefs outside centre played all but 2 of this season's Super Rugby games and can slip into the inside centre position if need be.

A great link between the inside and outside backs he beats Juan Cruz Mallia into the side.

14 - Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)

With 10 Super Rugby tries and 921 scintillating running meters, Boffelli walks into the side. One of the deadliest players with the ball in hand he covers 15 with ease and like Hodge, has a big boot on him.

15 - Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)

No team will look right without a Barrett, unfortunately, only one Barrett qualifies for this side. 

Jordie has enjoyed two stellar seasons with the Hurricanes and is likely to be starting in the black 15, for the majority of the tournament after missing out through injury last year.