Liam Koen starts as one of three uncapped players in the Junior Springboks lineup for their U20 Championship opener against Fiji at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Koen, the son of former Springbok flyhalf Louis Koen, partners scrumhalf Asad Moos in a new-look halfback pairing.
The starting XV has five changes and a positional switch from the run-on side that beat Argentina in the last Rugby Championship match at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland, while there are several tweaks among the reserves. Head coach Bafana Nhleko said the team has worked hard over the past week and worked on the lessons from the Rugby Championship in Australia, and they are ready to meet the challenge of Fiji this week.
“For us, it’s about excelling in our fundamentals, maintaining our strengths around playing from set piece and being in a position to make the right decisions when there are opportunities. The contact area behaviours will be key on both sides of the ball.” Nhleko said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Junior Boks back veterans for U20 ChampsHead coach Bafana Nhleko has included five members of last year’s Junior Springbok squad in the 30-player group for the U20 Championship in Cape Town.
Read more »
TMO expanded for Bok Test, U20 ChampsWorld Rugby have announced an expansion of the TMO's powers for Saturday's Test between the Springboks and Wales, as well as the upcoming U20 Championship in Cape Town.
Read more »
All Blacks: It ‘hurts’ to call Boks champsIan Foster, Sam Cane and the New Zealand team have shared their emotions after a narrow defeat to the Springboks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Read more »
WP prop Zachary Porthen to lead Junior Boks at U-20 ChampsThe Junior Springbok squad that will do battle at the World Rugby U-20 Championship in Cape Town has been announced.
Read more »
Ireland in unfamiliar territory as they start preparing for BoksAs the Springboks complete their preparations for their first game since retaining the Rugby World Cup last October, a 35-man Ireland squad will gather in Dublin on Thursday to start the buildup to the forthcoming two match series in South Africa between the No 1 and No 2 nations.
Read more »
Not perfect but Boks get year off to a strong startThe Springboks got their 2024 campaign under way with a comfortable 41-13 win over Wales at Twickenham on Saturday but they will have ended the game knowing some fine-tuning will be needed before they head into the first test against Ireland at Loftus in a fortnight from now.
Read more »