South Africa Under-20 coach Dawie Theron (pictured below) has picked a complete new selection to face the visiting Argentina Pumitas in their second of three international matches at the Markotter Stadium in Stellenbosch (Tuesday, 4pm SA time).
The team comprise mostly of Under-19 players and those who were not involved in the opening clash on Saturday at the same venue.
All these matches form part of the overall SA U20 training camp in preparation of the IRB Junior World Championship 2012, to be staged during June in Cape Town. Theron said he was looking forward to give the younger players in the squad a taste of international rugby.
However, he realises that the visitors will again be a handful, especially in the tight phases: “They will test us in the scrum and the other tight phases, but the young players in the squad have the ideal opportunity to test themselves.
“We did well to keep ourselves in check on Saturday despite the somewhat negative and over-robust approach from them. I realise that this approach will be a huge challenge for our players, but we will have to demonstrate the same discipline and not get too distracted.
“We have been working very hard on our structure and our systems and the players have a good understanding of what the coaches want from them. The selection of these young players are in line with our strategic plan and player development programme, which is also aimed at giving them exposure at international level,” added Theron.
Meanwhile, The Sharks Vodacom Super Rugby utility back Paul Jordaan joined the camp in Cape Town on Monday morning. He will be available for the rest of the camp and will be considered for the third and final match on Saturday at the Danie Craven Stadium.
Dillyn Leyds in action during the Varsity Cup.
The SA U20 Invitational XV to play against Argentina is:
15. Dillion Leyds 14. Quinton Norris 13. Johnny Kotze 12. Kobus van Wyk 11. Ruwellyn Isbell 10. Harold Vorster 9. Hlanhla Hlungwane 8. Cobus Nel 7. Leneve Dames 6. Shaun Adendorf 5. Marvin Orrie 4. Jacques du Plessis 3. Neethling Fouche 2. Stephan Coetzee 1. Marzuq Maarman
Replacements
16. Jaco Visagie 17. Andrew Beerwinkel 18. Henkus van Wyk 19. Lungelo Chonco 20 Rayn Smid 21. Wian van der Walt 22.Tbc* 23.Tbc*
*Note: The two remaining replacements and the captain will be confirmed on Wednesday.
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