Junior Springboks expect ‘massive threat’ from expansive Australia

The Junior Springboks have done their best to prepare for a fast-paced, expansive Australian side ahead of their second Rugby Championship U20 clash in Gqeberha on Tuesday.

The teams play at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (kick-off 4.10pm) with the South Africans leading the table thanks to their 36–25 win against Argentina last week.

The Australians could only salvage a 29-all draw against defending champions New Zealand in their first game. This was due to an 83rd-minute (extra time) try in the opening game of the tournament.

Foote prepares for width

But Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote said Australia could not be underestimated, and nor could their coach, Chris Whitaker, whom Foote knows from their time as assistant coaches in Super Rugby in recent years: Foote with the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels, and Whitaker with the New South Wales Waratahs.

“I know Chris Whitaker from our time together in Super Rugby, and he is an exciting attacking coach. We know we will have to be on top of our game regarding their threats,” Foote said.

The Junior Bok coach has made several changes to his side following their five-try-to-three win over Argentina.

But anticipating an Australian team playing with width, he opted to keep right wing Cheswill Jooste, who played brilliantly against Argentina, making excellent line breaks seemingly at will.

It’s an entirely new starting backline otherwise, including scrumhalf Ceano Everson, flyhalf Vusi Moyo, Dominic Malgas and Scott Nel as the centres, Siya Ndlozi at left wing and JC Mars at fullback.

“It’s a nice match-23 with lots of exciting players and speed amongst the backs, complemented by a big and physical forward pack, and we are looking forward to the game,” Foote added.

Junior Springboks need to fix their lineouts

“We see Australia as a massive threat with their ball movement and how they play with width, and we expect they will have some special structured set pieces with lineouts and scrums.”

The Junior Springboks’ poor performance in lineouts was an area of concern, captain Riley Norton said after the Argentina game. He said they would “go back to the drawing board” ahead of the Australia clash.

Norton retains his starting lock spot. But among the forwards, only Simphiwe Ngobese (loosehead prop) and Wandile Mlaba (No 8) remain in the starting XV, and Norton will have to look to new faces to rectify their lineout woes.

These include hooker Juandre Schoeman, tighthead prop Herman Lubbe, lock Morne Venter and flankers Xola Nyali and Batho Hlekani.