Team news: Junior Boks back at full strength for semi-final against Argentina
By
SABC Sport
12th July 2025
The in-form Junior Springboks have named their side to do battle in the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship against Argentina on Monday.
After making a few rotational changes for their last pool match, Junior Bok head coach Kevin Foote has returned to the same line-up that defeated Australia and England in their first two group games.
Demitre Erasmus is back at outside centre after missing the England clash due to illness and coming off the bench against Scotland.
Jaco Williams is retained at left wing for his second start in a row since replacing Siya Ndlozi, who returned home with a hamstring injury sustained against England.
The Junior Bok pack remains the same as the combination that faced Australia and England, with Norton leading a group of forwards who have impressed with their physicality throughout the tournament.
Foote has opted for six forwards and two backs on the bench for the semi-final in a bid to use their explosive forwards and attack the Argentina pack, with No 8 Stephanus Linde now the extra forward among the replacements.
"It was so difficult to leave out anybody because the players did so well against Scotland. My message to those who weren't selected for the match-23 is to help us prepare the starting team as best as we can," Foote said.
"The Argentineans are very confrontational and physical, and they play with lots of passion. We know we are in for a fight which is why we went for six forwards on the bench, because we have so much respect for them."
The SA U20s are one of three southern hemisphere teams in the world championship semi-finals, alongside Argentina and New Zealand, who face France in their playoff at 18h00.
The Junior Boks' semi-final match will kick off at 20h30 on Monday night.
Junior Springboks - 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Xola Nyali, 5 JJ Theron, 4 Riley Norton (captain), 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Simphiwe Ngobese.
Replacements: 16 Jaundre Schoeman, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Dominic Malgas, 23 Stephanus Linde.
