Samoan squeeze put Baby Boks right
Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:58
South African Under-20 coach Eric Sauls believes the nail-biter against Samoa was just what the Baby Boks needed in preparation for their semifinal showdown against a quality England outfit.
Sauls has named his team for the International Rugby Board (IRB) World Junior Championship semifinal clash against England at Cardiff on Wednesday.
South Africa advanced to the play-offs with victories over the United States (US), Scotland and Samoa.
Sauls said his team was ready for a big challenge from England, who has been in great form during the pool stages.
"England finished top of Pool C and they managed to beat a very good Australian team along the way. We dominated against the US and Scotland and I think the tough match against Samoa [16-11] was just what we needed and it came at the right stage of the tournament.
"The knock-out stage is what really matters and the boys fully understand that. We have worked hard on our decision-making, which I think will be a key factor tomorrow [Wednesday]," said Sauls.
New Zealand will face Wales in the first semifinal at Newport on Wednesday.
South Africa: 15 Wilton Pietersen, 14 Cecil Afrika, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Lionel Mapoe, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Francois Houghaard, 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze (captain), 7 Thiliphaut Marole, 6 Johan van Deventer, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Frederick Kirsten, 2 Henri Bantjes, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements: 16 PJ van Vuuren, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Sobelo Nhlapo, 19 Ralph Koster, 20 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 21 Josias Ebersohn, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
Date: Wednesday, June 18
Venue: Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Kick-off: 21.10 (20.10 GMT)
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
Touch judges: Hugh Watkins (Wales), David Bodilly (Wales)
Television match official: Derek Bevan (Wales)
