With two near-perfect victories in the bag, the Junior Springboks can ill-afford any complacency in their final pool game at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.
They face the winless Scotland on Wednesday (3.30 pm kick-off) in Calvisano in the third round of the tournament and after completing victories over Australia (73-17) and defending champions England (32-22) in the first two clashes, they will be primed to finish with a flourish, to head into the knockouts with confidence.
It’s the perfect opportunity for some fringe players, selected in the starting team, to put their hand up and gain some valuable game time to get them battle-ready for the playoffs, should they be needed. It will also give the team the chance to build more confidence ahead of the semi-finals.
Flyhalf Vusi Moyo, who has been pulling the strings on the attack and with his kicking boot, alongside regular scrumhalf Haashim Pead, will have a new halfback partner in Ceano Everson. The latter only played 13 minutes against England, but looked sharp during his time on the field, so the start is a good reward for him.
He will be eager to showcase his strengths to grab the deputy jersey behind Pead ahead of the playoffs.
Up front, the lock-pairing of Jaco Grobbelaar and Morne Venter must maintain that physical presence alongside captain Thando Biyela and No 7 flanker Matt Romao in the absence of key forwards who are being rested.
Kevin Foote, Junior Springbok coach, meanwhile, called up utility back Alzeadon Felix to replace the injured winger Siya Ndlozi, looking at the knockouts. Ndlozi pulled up with a tight hamstring against England and the deadly winger’s presence will be missed on the field.
Felix, though, brings his own qualities and will be a potent addition to the squad.
Biyela, who will be standing in for the resting Riley Norton, says they will not deviate from what they’ve been doing so far in the competition.
“We will be looking to maintain our momentum, but the Scots are a big and physical unit, so it’s going to be an exciting battle,” he said.
“For us, it will be about getting clarity on all the things we are doing and focusing on our set piece to set up a good attacking platform. It is a massive honour to be leading the Junior Springboks, but I have such experienced players around me, like Vusi (Moyo), Jaco (Grobbelaar), and Haashim (Pead) on the bench. So, I will be leaning on their experience.”
