All change for Baby Boks

Dawie Theron, the South Africa Under-20 coach, has made nine changes to the starting line-up for their last practice match against the University of Cape Town on Saturday.


In the backline Tyler Fisher, Dries Swanepoel (both centres), flyhalf Robert du Preez and scrumhalf Percy Williams takes over from Sylvian Mahuza, Jan Serfontein, Handré Pollard and Hanco Venter respectively.


Swanepoel has shrugged off his ankle niggle which kept him on the side-line against the Maties.


Changes in the pack will see Ruan Steenkamp start at No.8 and Roelof Smit move to flank in place of Jacques du Plessis - with Albertus Smit, Irné Herbst and Sti Sithole taking over from Ruan Steenkamp, Luan de Bruin and Justin Forwood respectively.


The match against the Ikeys is the last in a series of three such matches against Western Cape-based university sides.


As part of their extensive training camp, which ends on Saturday, the squad previously played against the University of the Western Cape and Maties in Stellenbosch.


Of the 34 players that originally assembled in Stellenbosch last week, six have since left the camp for Super Rugby or Springbok Sevens duty.


Justin Geduld, Cheslin Kolbe and Seabelo Senatla were all selected for the Blitzbokke for the forthcoming Sevens World Series tournaments in Wellington and Las Vegas.


The trio of Handré Pollard, Jan Serfontein and Jacques du Plessis returned to Pretoria on Wednesday straight after the Maties game to continue with the Bulls’ Super Rugby preparations.


Meanwhile, Johnny Kotze, the Maties centre who previously played for the SA Schools Academy side and was a member of last year’s SA Under-20 training group, was added to the current training squad and is on the reserves bench against UCT.


South Africa Under-20: 15 Tim Swiel, 14 Luther Obi, 13 Tyler Fisher, 12 Dries Swanepoel, 11 JP Lewis, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Percy Williams, 8 Ruan Steenkamp, 7 Roelof Smit, 6 Albertus Smit, 5 Marvin Orie (captain), 4 Irné Herbst, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Sti Sithole.

All the remaining squad members will be on the reserves bench.


Date: Saturday, January 26

Venue: Brookside field, Claremont

Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT)

Referee: Quinton Immelman