Several Blue Bulls called up for Junior Springboks decisive battle against young Pumas
Two young Blue Bulls locks join another three provincial teammates for tonight's decisive game of the Junior Springboks against Argentina at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia.
Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux made three personnel changes to his team for their third and final pool match against Argentina at the World Rugby U20 Championship on Thursday, with Curwin Bosch, Ruben van Heerden and Hendré Stassen being drafted into the starting line-up.
The two Blue Bulls will join their provincial team-mate, hooker Johan Grobler, to strengthen the Boks’ tight five against the tough South Americans who are known for their physical approach.
Bosch replaces another Blue Bull, Manie Libbok, at flyhalf. Libbok switches to fullback in the place of Jeanluc Cilliers, who moves to the bench.
Van Heerden, who missed the clash against Georgia after taking a knock against France, replaces Reinhard Nothnagel, while Stassen takes over from Salmaan Moerat.
Flanker Muller Uys, who joined the team in Georgia on Sunday morning as an injury replacement for Nama Xaba, will start on the bench in place of Zain Davids, who is serving a two-match suspension.
“We looked at the opposition, how fresh the players are, and their availability, and we feel that this is the best team for the Argentina clash,” said Roux.
“We are fortunate that all the players can play at any time and they are ready and willing to produce the goods, so our focus was not necessarily on continuity, but rather on winning the match.”
Roux expected a challenging task against Argentina in what both teams will regard as a quarter-final, and said his team had to deliver a solid performance all around to book their place in the playoff stages. The top team in each of the three pools will advance to the semi-final, along with the next best placed team on the log standings.
“I think Argentina will play a fast-paced game, but they also have a good scrum, so we need to be up for that.” said Roux. “Our defence also has to be sharp, and we need to play in the right areas. The Georgians played a slow game and we couldn’t get out of our half.”
Junior Springbok team to face Argentina in the World Rugby U20 Championship: 15. Manie Libbok (Blue Bulls), 14. Yaw Penxe (EP Kings), 13. Wandisile Simelane (Golden Lions), 12. Damian Willemse (Western Province), 11. Gianni Lombard (Golden Lions), 10. Curwin Bosch (Sharks), 9. Embrose Papier (Blue Bulls), 8. Juarno Augustus (Western Province), 7 – Ernst van Rhyn (captain – Western Province), 6. Len Massyn (Golden Lions), 5. Ruben van Heerden (Blue Bulls), 4. Hendre Stassen (Blue Bulls), 3. Carlű Sadie (Western Province), 2. Johan Grobbelaar (Blue Bulls), 1. Kwenzo Blose (Free State). Replacements: 16. Gerhard Steenekamp (Blue Bulls), 17. Daniel Jooste (Western Province), 18. Wikus Groenewald (Western Province), 19. Salmaan Moerat (Western Province), 20. Muller Uys (Western Province), 21. Francois de Villiers (Sharks), 22. Stedman Gans (Blue Bulls), 23. Jeanluc Cilliers (Golden Lions).
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