The South African Under-18 teams are aiming for improved performances when they wrap up the U18 International Series against the visiting sides from England and France in Paarl on Saturday afternoon.
The first match at Paarl Gimnasium kicks off at 13h30 between the SA U18 ‘A’ team and France, while the SA U18s take on England at 15h30. As an added bonus, the U21 sides of DHL WP and the Vodacom Bulls will square off in a SA Rugby U21 Cup clash at the same venue, with kick-off scheduled for 11h15.
But all eyes will be in the 49 boys in green and gold after a week of top-class international rugby against their U18 counterparts from England and France.
The SA U18s, who beat France by 49-17 on Tuesday, take on an England side with their tails up after their come-from-behind 36-24 victory over the SA U18 ‘A’ side.
SA "A" Head Coach Kobus Van Dyk had to welcome two new players into his squad for Saturday’s game after five players were ruled out of the final round of action due to injury – JF van Niekerk (lock), Bernard Bladergroen (prop), Reno Hirst (prop), Camden Schoeman (No 8) and Divan Fuller (flanker).
The selectors have only called up two replacements into the SA U18 ‘A’ squad, namely Yabo Ndzemela (loose forward) and Siyabonga Dube (prop) from the Sharks, with both named to start Saturday’s match on the bench. Schoeman, who captained the ‘A’-team in the campaign so far, will be replaced as skipper by Keanu Coetzee.
The teams for Saturday are:
SA Under-18 to face England in Paarl:
15 Joel Leotlela (Lions)
14 Alfondso Isaacs (Cheetahs)
13 Sha-Jehaan de Jongh (Western Province)
12 Joshua Boulle (Lions)
11 Litelihle Bester (Sharks)
10 Thurlon Williams (Western Province)
9 Caleb Abrahams (Cheetahs)
8 Sibabalwe Mahashe (captain – Border)
7 Lukas Meyer (Cheetahs)
6 Matthew Fick (Western Province)
5 Thabang Mpafi (Lions)
4 Thomas Dyer (Sharks)
3 Casper Badenhorst (Cheetahs)
2 Ethan Bester (Sharks)
1 Ruan Swart (SWD)
Replacements:
16 Luca Bakkes (Western Province)
17 Liyema Ntshanga (Sharks)
18 Nic Snyman (Sharks)
19 Jack Waterhouse (Sharks)
20 Lilitha Matziliza (Bulls)
21 Steven Nel (Bulls)
22 Stehan Heymans (Bulls)
23 Bruce Sherwood (Western Province)
24 Jeneil Losper (Western Province)
Referee: Paul Mente
SA Under-18 ‘A’ to face France in Paarl:
15 Jayden Bantom (Valke)
14 Sesethu Mpaka (Border)
13 Jurenzo Julies (Western Province)
12 Philip-Albert van Niekerk (Western Province)
11 Jeneil Losper (Western Province)
10 Liam Koen (Western Province)
9 Asad Moos (Western Province)
8 Zukisane Tom (Sharks)
7 Sandile Nzuza (Sharks)
6 Max du Pisani (Eastern Province)
5 Keanu Coetzee (captain – Western Province)
4 Sampie Joubert (Western Province)
3 Marco Conradie (SWD)
2 Juan Smal (Western Province)
1 Liyema Ntshanga (Sharks)
Replacements:
16 Christian Everitt (Sharks)
17 Willem Loubser (Western Province)
18 Siyabonga Dube (Sharks)
19 Danio Botha (Western Province)
20 Yabo Ndzamela (Sharks)
21 Aiden Muller (Western Province)
22 Bradley Giddy (Cheetahs)
23 Antonio Bruiners (Western Province)
24 Jameel de Jongh (Western Province)
25 Gino Cupido (Western Province)
Referee: Christopher Allison
