Nhleko rings the Baby Bok changes ahead of third place play-off against England

Centre Damian Markus will earn his first start for the Junior Springboks when they take on England in the play-off for third place in the World Rugby U20 Championship on Friday.

Injuries have forced the hand of coach Bafana Nhleko in making a number of changes to the team that will run out at Athlone Stadium, with fullback Hakeem Kunene (shoulder), lock JF van Heerden (shoulder) and flanker Ghudian van Reenen (concussion) ruled out of the match.

Markus, who has played off the bench in all four of South Africa's matches during the tournament, is set to feature in the No 12 jersey.

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Regan Izaks, who started against the Italians in Paarl, will play at fullback and Hennie Sieberhagen's patience has been rewarded by being drafted into the squad to make his debut at No 7.

Tiaan Wessels earns a second cap as replacement for Van Heerden in the second row. In the backline, Quewin Nortje has been selected to start on the wing, while Neil le Roux also starts at scrumhalf.

Michael Annies and Imad Khan will play off the bench.

Nhleko has freshened up in the props, with Mawande Mdanda (tighthead) and Phatu Ganyane (loosehead) joining forces again, while flanker Gcinokuhle Mdletshe is among the substitutes.

"We said at the start of the tournament that we wanted to give everyone a taste of Test match rugby," Nhleko said.

"We did that, but the injuries and the result against Ireland (they lost 31-12 to the Irish in the semi-finals) have now given us another opportunity to expand on that, which means we will have some fresh bodies in the squad to face England.

"We lost Hakeem, JF and Ghudian due to injury, while Neil is back after missing two games due to HIA