Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote has retained just four players from the side that put a century of points past Uruguay for Thursday’s Junior World Championship clash against hosts Georgia.
Lock JD Hattingh is the only forward to earn a second consecutive start, while three backs – Hendré Schoeman, Luan Giliomee and Markus Muller – retain their places in the run-on side.
Foote has elected to shift Giliomee, who started at fullback against Uruguay, to flyhalf for Thursday’s encounter. Muller will start at inside centre.
Centre Ethan Adams and wing Khuthadzo Rasivhaga were not considered due to niggles.
ALSO: Riley’s Test debut on hold
Regular captain Siphosethu Mnebelele returns to the starting front row at hooker and will pack down between props Oliver Reid and Danie Kruger, with Hattingh and Heinrich Theron in the second row.
The three loose forwards are flankers Wasi Vyambwera and Luke Cannon, with Kebotile Maake at No 8.
In the backline, Jack Benade starts on the left wing, with Samuel Badenhorst and Muller forming the midfield combination. Vodacom Bulls star Cheswill Jooste is selected on the right wing, while Akahluwa Boqwana takes over at fullback.
OPINION: Siya busy grooming his successor
South Africa ran in 16 tries in a 104-7 rout of the South Americans but face a far sterner test against a powerful Georgia side.
Foote said the intention was always to rotate the squad, particularly given the demanding turnaround between pool matches.
“We are fortunate to have a quality squad that has played together several times already this year.
“Player load management is one of the key aspects of a tournament of this nature, and squad rotation plays a very important role in that regard.”
The Junior Boks play their final group game against Wales next Tuesday.
U16 GRANT KHOMO WEEK: WP centre scores five, Lions stun hosts
Georgia suffered a one-point defeat to Wales in their opening pool fixture, and Foote expects a passionate performance from the hosts in Tbilisi.
“Georgia are a very strong set-piece side and physical opponents,” he said. “Having played them a couple of times already this year, we know exactly what they are capable of.
“They are a proud and passionate rugby nation and will be disappointed after that narrow loss to Wales, so we will need to be ready mentally and physically for the challenge they will bring.”
JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS – 15 Akahluwa Boqwana, 14 Cheswill Jooste, Samuel Badenhorst, 12 Markus Muller, 11 Jack Benade, 10 Luan Giliomee, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Luke Cannon, 6 Wasi Vyambwera, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (c), 1 Oliver Reid.
Bench: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubheka, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 Jaythen Orange, 20 Risima Khosa, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Jordan Steenkamp, 23 Alzeadon Felix.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
