Pollard to flyhalf for France

Coach Dawie Theron, has shuffled his team for their vital match against hosts France on Thursday evening at the IRB Junior World Championship.

The South Africans will field a new centre combination, a changed halfback pairing and two different props. The match kicks off at 20:45 and will be televised.

The Junior Boks are currently top of their pool with 9 points from two matches and need a victory to book themselves a spot in next week’s two semi-finals.

Justin Geduld suffered a mild knee ligament sprain against England and will be rested for this match. Depending on his progress, he will be considered for the next match.

Stefan Ungerer had a dental procedure during the week and because he also played in the two previous matches, it was decided to give him a well-deserved rest.

Handré Pollard moves from inside centre to fly half. Rohan Janse van Rensburg moves into the No 12 jersey alongside his Blue Bulls team mate Dries Swanepoel, who will now wear the No 13 jersey.

Robert du Preez moves to the bench to make place for Pollard at No 10 while his provincial team mate Hanco Venter earns his first start of the JWC campaign in place of Ungerer.

The new props are Sti Sithole and Marné Coetzee and the pair replace Luhan de Bruin and Andrew Beerwinkel. Meanwhile, Devon Martinus and Percy Williams are both included in the match 23 for the first time.

De Bruin was cited for an incident in the previous fixture against England and was not considered for selection for this match while SARU is appealing the sanction.

Theron said it was necessary to change the team after the same match fifteen did duty against the USA and England.

“We played a tough match against England so it is important that we bring in some fresh legs. This match against France is a crucial one for both teams. We cannot afford to lose because there are still a number of teams who can grab the four semi-final spots.

“We know we are going to face a very brave and passionate French team. They are under pressure because of their loss against England and also because of the expectations of their home fans. They will be highly motivated so we will have to be strong and ready for a huge battle,” said Theron.

The SA Under-20 team to face France:

15. Cheslin Kolbe (Western Province)

14. Luther Obi (Leopards)

13. Dries Swanepoel (Blue Bulls)

12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Blue Bulls)

11. Seabelo Senatla (SARU contracted)

10. Handré Pollard (Blue Bulls)

9.   Hanco Venter (Sharks)

8. Ruan Steenkamp (Blue Bulls)

7. Jacques du Plessis (Blue Bulls)

6. Roelof Smit (Blue Bulls)

5. Dennis Visser (Blue Bulls)

4. Irné Herbst (Blue Bulls)

3. Marné Coetzee (Sharks)

2. Jacques du Toit (Free State)

1. Sti Sithole (Western Province)

Bench:

16. Andrew Beerwinkel (Blue Bulls)

17. Mike Willemse (Western Province)

18. Jannes Kirsten (Blue Bulls)

19. Aidon Davis (EP)

20. Percy Williams (Lions)

21. Robert du Preez (Sharks)

22. Jesse Kriel (Blue Bulls)

23. Devon Martinus (Lions)

Some interesting tournament statistics:

Five teams are still unbeaten at JWC 2013 in defending champions South Africa, New Zealand, and last year’s semi-finalists Wales and Argentina plus Ireland.

Seven of the 12 teams at JWC 2013 can, theoretically, still reach the semi-finals.

South Africa continue to head the try-scoring sheets at JWC 2013 with 19 after two rounds. New Zealand are the only other team into double figures, while Fiji and USA remain the only teams yet to have crossed the whitewash.

Seabelo Senatla, the South African flyer, took his try tally to six with a first-half brace against England in La Roche-sur-Yon. Senatla is now just two tries short of the record number of tries in a single JWC which is currently held by All Blacks Zac Guildford (2009) and Julian Savea (2010).

Robert du Preez, the Junior Boks’ fly half, continues to head the conversions chart with eight, two more than his opposite number on day two, Henry Slade of England.