SA U18s gear up for three tough matches in Wellington

The SA U18 'A' team will face Georgia at 11:30, and this will be followed by the SA U18 match against Ireland at 13:30, with England and France rounding off the day's action at 15:30.

The SA U18 coach Lwazi Zangqa has made eleven changes to his team, stating that these changes align with their overall strategy to meet their objectives and provide every player with an opportunity to showcase their skills at international level.

Only four players from the starting line-up that comfortably beat France in the opening round have been retained to face Ireland. They are vice-captain AJ Meyer (lock), Gert Kemp (No 8), captain Markus Muller (outside centre) and Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback).

Zangqa anticipates a tough challenge from the Irish side, who beat the SA U18 'A' team in a close-fought match on Friday: "We are looking forward to the fixture against Ireland whom we believe will be a highly motivated and confident opponent on Tuesday afternoon."

Meanwhile, SA U18 'A' coach Flash Malinga has retained five players for their match against Georgia, saying that the rotational changes were part of the team's preparations, giving all players a chance to start at international level for their development.

The retained players in the SA U18 'A' starting line-up from their close defeat to Ireland are vice-captain Migael Turner (lock), Liam Lightly (flanker), Quintin Potgieter (No 8), captain Jeandre Uithaler (flyhalf) and Ncutu Kepe (wing).

Malinga acknowledged Georgia's strong performance against England - they won 35-31 last Friday - and said they are expecting a hard and physical encounter. He added that the players have prepared to face this physicality while also looking to showcasing their own style of play.

"We know what's coming from Georgia," said Malinga. "They are hard and physical, but we will be looking to showcase our owns style as much as we prepare to match their physicality. We are looking forward to playing against a very good international side."

SA U18 (v Ireland): 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Junaide Stuart, 13 Markus Muller (captain), 12 Christian Vorster, 11 Lamla Mgedezi, 10 Ruben Groenewald, 9 Jayden Brits, 8 Gert Kemp, 7 Wasi Vyambwera, 6 Jacobus de Villiers, 5 AJ Meyer, 4 Jayden Joubert, 3 Matthew van der Merwe, 2 Clinton Agu, 1 Jordan Jooste.

Replacements: 16 Altus Rabe, 17.Kai Pratt, 18 JG Badenhorst, 19 Lwandile Mlaba, 20 Chinedu Amadi, 21 Joshua Neill, 22 Morne Noble, 23 Liyema Nela, 24 Ethan Adams, 25 Jadrian Afrikaner, 26 Thabiso Simelane.

SA U18 'A' (v Georgia): 15 Ethan van Biljon, 14 Junade Pasensie, 13 Erin Nelson, 12 Sbabalwe Magwebu, 11 Ncutu Kepe, 10 Jeandre Uithaler (captain), 9 Mickyle Booise, 8 Quintin Potgieter, 7 Liam Lightly, 6 Briint Davids, 5 Migael Turner, 4 Lian Terblanche, 3 Deon Botes, 2 Thomas Muller, 1 Pieta Cilliers.

Replacements: 16 Keenan Myners, 17 Jeffrey Singo, 18 Bernhard du Toit, 19 Diaan Augustyn, 20 Nhlanhla Ndlovu, 21 Zirk Meyer, 22 Lizwe Mthethwa, 23 Nathan Aneke, 24 Reinhart Viljoen, 25 Jeneall Davids.

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