SA U18 to play France
Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:56
SA Schools eighthman Siya Kolisi in action at the 2009 Craven Week
Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) scrumhalf Lohan Jacobs was on Friday named as captain of the South African Under-18 team that will play France in an international friendly at Florida Park in Ravensmead, Cape Town on Saturday.
SA Under-18 coach Eric Sauls made six changes to his starting team that comprehensively defeated Namibia 93-10 at the Outeniqua Park in George on Wednesday for tomorrow’s clash.
Fullback Garth April comes into the side in place of Riaan Britz, who is relegated to the bench while William Small-Smith replaces Andile Jho, and will partner Piet Lindeque in midfield.
A new trio of loose forwards was also selected for the international against France with Siya Kolisi, Jean Cook and Lean Schwartz all earning starts. There are also changes up front with Frans Malherbe and Bongi Mbonambi replacing Zolani Faku (prop) and Gareth Topkin (hooker) respectively.
Sauls though has selected the same lock and half back combinations that starred during South Africa’s victory over Namibia on Wednesday. Gerno Eksteen and Carl Wegner have been confirmed as the lock pairing while flyhalf William van Wyk will partner Jacobs at half back.
“I think this was indeed the toughest team selection to make if you consider the abundance of talented youngsters we have within this squad,” said Sauls.
“I have said all along that playing combinations will be crucial for us to develop and become a successful unit. The team selected by the national selectors does reflect that. We want to create synergy and continuity within our structures and I think we've achieved that over the last few days.
“Almost every player in this High Performance squad put up their hands and those guys who failed to make the match day 22 should not feel too disappointed. Hopefully they'll get a chance in the near future at an Under-19 or even Under-20 level.”
SA Under-18 team: 15 Garth April, 14 Craig Barry, 13 Pieter Lindeque, 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Brian Skosana, 10 William van Wyk, 9 Lohan Jacobs (captain), 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Jean Cook, 6 Lean Schwartz, 5 Carl Wegner, 4 Gerno Eksteen, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi , 1 Kelvin de Bruyn
Replacements: 16 Gareth Topkin, 17 Jean Schoeman, 18 Eben Etzebeth, 19 Heinrich Marcus, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Pieter Rademan, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Wandile Mjekevu, 24 Riaan Britz, 25 Emil Schwarz
France Under-18 squad: Yohann Artru, Kevin Boukechiche, Raphael Carbou, Bastien Chalureau, Karl Château, Andrew Chauveau, Danty Jonathan, Grégory Decottignies, Tom Ecochard, Jean-Charles Fidinde, Florian Fresia, Pierre Gayraud, Maxime Granouillet, Emmanuel Husquin, Julien Kazubek, Thom Laranjeira, Dan Malafosse, Vincent Martin, Julien Moretto, Clément Otazo, Maxime Payen, Ilian Perraux, Jean-Bernard Pujol, Cécilion Puleoto, Etienne Quiniou, Chérif Slimani, Sébastien Taofifenua, Alexandre Vives
Date: 29 August 2009
Kick-off: 16.00
Venue: Tygerberg RFC, Florida Park, Ravensmead, Cape Town
Referee: Mlungiseli Mdashe
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