South Africa ‘A’ team: Five Springboks in side v Zimbabwe Sables
Mzwandile Stick has named an exciting South Africa ‘A’ team which includes five Springboks for their clash against the Zimbabwe Sables at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday.
South Africa ‘A’ boss Stick, who will double up as the Springboks assistant coach for their encounter with the Barbarians at the same venue later in the day, has selected a powerful matchday squad that reflects a carefully balanced blend of experience and youth.
Versatile Sharks forward Vincent Tshituka will captain the side from the second-row and he is joined by double Rugby World Cup winner, Lukhanyo Am, Phepsi Buthelezi, Neethling Fouche and Boan Venter as the capped internationals in the run-on side.
The matchday squad includes several of South Africa‘s up-and-coming stars including some South Africa U20 players who will be representing their country at the Junior World Championship in Georgia later this month.
Exciting midfield combination
Among those is highly rated centre Markus Muller, who will partner Am in the midfield, as well as exciting fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed, who will form a halfback partnership with Lions star Haashim Pead.
The backline is completed by Luan Giliomee, who starts at full-back, Jaco Williams and Zekhethelo Siyaya, who will line up on the wings.
Stick has named a physical pack with Buthelezi, Bathobele Hlekani and Emmanuel Tshituka starting in the back-row while skipper Tshituka will pack down in the second-row where he will run the lineouts alongside Ruben van Heerden.
Meanwhile, there is also a strong front-row combination of consisting of Fouche, Venter (both props) and SA U20 hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele.
The SA ‘A’ coach also named a strong bench, featuring the front-row of Liam van Wyk (hooker), and props Oliver Reid and Hanro Jacobs, while Adre Smith, who joined the squad on Sunday, will provide further forward cover with Siba Mahashe.
The three backline players among the replacements are Nico Steyn, Imad Khan, and Jurenzo Julius.
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“I’m looking forward to seeing what this group of players can do against a determined Zimbabwe outfit, who have qualified for the 2027 World Cup, and will undoubtedly use this opportunity to test themselves against us as they prepare for the international spectacle,” said Stick.
“The young players and uncapped guys have really slotted in well in the last week, and one can sense the excitement among them to take the field.
“This match will provide fantastic senior international exposure for them, and for Zimbabwe as well, and I believe they have the goods to play an exciting brand of rugby, which will be great for the coaches to assess our depth as we not only build for this season, but with an eye on the RWC next year as well.”
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Of Zimbabwe, Stick said: “They have a settled team, and they have good coaches, so they will throw everything at us, and we need to be ready for that.
“The keys for us this weekend will be to stick to our structures and for the individuals to use the talent that earned them selection for this group, so we are looking forward to seeing what they deliver on the field.”
South Africa A team v Zimbabwe Sables
SA ‘A’: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Vincent Tshituka (c), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurenzo Julius
Date: Saturday, June 20
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 12:00 (local SAST), 11:00 (UK)
Match officials: TBC
Broadcaster: SuperSport
Credit: Source link
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