Junior Boks shuffle team for Irish clash

June 28, 2022
2753
Ultimate Rugby

Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko has shuffled his forward pack and his replacements bench for Wednesday's second pool match of the Six Nations U20 Summer Series against Ireland in Verona, Italy.

Nhleko has kept the starting backline who did duty in the win over England intact, but he has freshened up the pack for the expected fiery battle against Ireland, who won the U20 Six Nations competition earlier this year.

Reinhardt Ludwig (lock) and Cameron Hanekom (lock) are the only two players set to get a second start amongst the forwards, with Nhleko making six changes to the forwards combination who will run out against Ireland.

Corne Lavanga and Sivu Mabece (props) and Tiaan Lange (hooker) will pack down in the front row. Ludwig’s new lock partner is Corne Rahl while Hanekom, who a had a strong outing against the English, will be flanked by Paul de Villiers and Louw Nel in the back row.

The new-look replacements bench have only utility backs Compion von Ludwig and Imad Khan from the 11 substitutes used in the opening fixture.

The Junior Springbok team to face Ireland in Verona:

15 Duran Koevort (DHL WP)

14 Donovan Don (Down Touch Griffons)

13 Ethan James (DHL WP)

12 Carlton Banies (Vodacom Bulls)

11 Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL WP)

10 Sacha Mngomezulu (captain, DHL WP)

9 Nico Steyn (Lions)

8 Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls)

7 Louw Nel (DHL WP)

6 Paul de Villiers (DHL WP)