Baby Boks name unchanged team for semi-final against Ireland

The Junior Boks have named an unchanged team to take on Ireland in the first semi-final of the World Rugby U20 Championship at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Sunday.

Coach Bafana Nhleko has opted for continuity and rewarded his players for a difficult 24-16 victory over the Argentinians on Tuesday as they had to scramble to the semis following a slow start to their campaign, which included a shock defeat to Italy in the group stages.

“We wanted some consistency and continuity, and we are hoping that the good second half effort against Argentina will spill over into the match against Ireland,” said Nhleko.  

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“We found our way in the second spell and hopefully we can use that momentum against the Irish. 

“It is tough if you are always behind the eight ball and chasing the game as we have been in our last two matches, so we believe by staying with the same group that came through against Argentina will stand us in good stead. 

“We know Ireland is an extremely consistent side – both in performance, selection and their style of play – and we did not want to tinker too much ourselves as we have found some of the same in the last match.” 

The two teams met last year in the Six Nations U20 Summer Series in Italy, where the South Africans won by 33-24 in Verona, but Nhleko said that victory does not really reflect on the current Junior Boks side.  

“We have two or three players who played in that game, and they have at least two thirds of their squad that come to this tournament, so I don't think there is much to see from that perspective,” he said. 

“The fact that we beat them last year does not count for much. The occasion is different and so are our