The Junior Springboks will face tournament hosts Georgia U20 today, 2 July 2026, at 18:30 (SA Time), in a highly anticipated Round 2 Pool A clash of the World Rugby Junior World Championship.
The two sides are incredibly familiar with each other, marking their fourth meeting of 2026, with the Junior Boks winning all four fixtures. The Junior Springboks should build on their record-breaking momentum at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi.
The defending champions made a massive statement in Round 1 by crushing Uruguay 104-7, crossing the try line 16 times. Head coach Kevin Foote has heavily rotated his squad for this fixture, retaining just four players from the opening lineup to manage player workloads and utilise the squad's depth.
Only four players retain their starting positions from the opening match to effectively manage workloads across the gruelling tournament calendar. Lock JD Hattingh is among the few carrying over into the starting fifteen.
The tournament hosts are searching for a bounce-back victory after dropping a heartbreaking 24-25 decision to Wales in their opening match. They are expected to bring extreme physicality, reinforced by recalling several key players who play club rugby in France. Georgia prides itself heavily on set-piece dominance and scrummaging power. South Africa's refreshed pack will need to match their high emotional intensity and physical onslaught from the first whistle.
Teams:
Georgia U20: 15 Nikoloz Khalvashi, 14 Luka Tabatadze, 13 Data Akhvlediani, 12 Davit Barbakadze, 11 Leonide Saldadze, 10 Mate Makharadze, 9 Daviti Tsiklauri, 8 Mikheil Shioshvili, 7 Luka Narsia (c), 6 Giorgi Zazadze, 5 Nikoloz Chkhortolia, 4 Giorgi Meparishvili, 3 Levani Ezieshvili, 2 Giorgi Agniashvili, 1 Luka Iaseshvili. Replacements: 16 David Archvadze, 17 Nikoloz Balanchivadze, 18 Saba Nozadze, 19 Andria Bilanishvili, 20 Irakli Kolbaia, 21 Temuri Dzodzuashvili, 22 Demetre Devdariani, 23 Davit Arobelidze
Junior Springboks: 15 Akahluwa Boqwana, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Samuel Badenhorst, 12 Markus Muller, 11 Jack Benade, 10 Luan Giliomee, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Luke Cannon, 6 Wasi Vyambwera, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (c), 1 Oliver Reid. Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubheka, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 Jaythen Orange, 20 Risima Khosa, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Jordan Steenkamp, 23 Alzeadon Felix.