Junior Springboks make minor tweaks for crucial clash against world champions England
Image: World Rugby
Gino Cupido is the only change to the Junior Springbok starting lineup for their crucial World Rugby U20 Championship pool match against England on Friday.
The Blitzbok replaces the exciting Demitre Erasmus, who suffered heatstroke after the resounding win against Australia on Sunday. Erasmus is still recovering, and the lanky Cupido is set to fill his boots, something he is very capable of doing.
South Africa U20 head coach Kevin Foote also made two tweaks on the replacement bench with scrumhalf Ceano Everson and utility back Dominic Malgas stepping into the matchday 23. They replace Erich Visser and Ian van der Merwe.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
There is quiet optimism in the SA camp after their big 73-17 win over the Junior Wallabies. However, England are the reigning champions, and it will be a difficult task to overcome them.
Foote expressed excitement about the clash, acknowledging its magnitude.
'We are very proud of the guys in terms of how focused and humble they are staying after the victory over Australia, and how hungry they are for the next challenge against England,' according to Foote.
A few minor tweaks to the #JuniorBoks team for their #WorldRugbyU20s clash against England in Rovigo on Friday - more here: https://t.co/HuhkulHEXv 🇿🇦#JourneyToGreatness pic.twitter.com/j7TE4m4oiU — SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) July 2, 2025
'There is a huge amount of excitement around Friday's clash. We know how important it is, and we play against the defending champions. It is an honour to be involved in a game like this, and it is a real challenge.'
Foote added they selected the side which they feel will be suited for what the English will throw at them. Riley Norton will captain the side and his physical combination with JJ Theron will be crucial. How they go about claiming lineouts and competing against the throw, will also come under scrutiny.
Nothing but strength 💪
JJ Theron decimates the Australian defence 🔥 #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/vP54VtJi3Z — World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 29, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
12 hours ago
- eNCA
Liverpool defender Quansah signs for Bayer Leverkusen
Centre-half Jarell Quansah has joined Bayer Leverkusen from Premier League champions Liverpool for a reported club record fee, the Bundesliga side announced on Wednesday. According to British and German press, the transfer fee for the 22-year-old could go up to 40 million euros ($47 million), including 10 million euros in add-ons. German specialist media Kicker and The Athletic also reported the inclusion of a 60-million-euros buy-back clause in the contract, which Liverpool could activate from summer 2027 to re-sign Quansah. "We are very happy to be able to sign Jarell Quansah, one of the most promising English central defenders," said Leverkusen managing director of sport Simon Rolfes. "He made a very impressive contribution to a Liverpool defence full of world-class players. Jarell will give our defence extra dynamism, tempo and strength." Quansah becomes the most expensive signing in Leverkusen's history, following on from the previous record arrival of midfielder Kerem Demirbay for 32 million euros in 2019. The 2025 European under-21 champion with England joined Liverpool's academy as a five-year-old, and rose through the ranks before making his first-team debut in 2023. He went on to appear 58 times for the Merseysiders, winning the League Cup in 2022 and 2024, as well as the Premier League title last season. After playing second fiddle to first-choice defensive duo Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate for much of the 2024/25 campaign, Quansah arrives at Leverkusen to replace departed former captain Jonathan Tah at the heart of the Bundesliga club's defence. "The ambitious targets here were clearly explained to me during the negotiations. It's a great role and challenge for me to be part of the current Leverkusen rebuild," said Quansah. After creating league history by winning the Bundesliga undefeated in 2024, Leverkusen endured a difficult title defence last term, finishing 13 points adrift of winners Bayern Munich. Stars of their league-and-cup double from two seasons years ago, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, have recently gone in the opposite direction from Quansah, joining Liverpool from Leverkusen this close-season.
Eyewitness News
12 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Liverpool defender Quansah signs for Bayer Leverkusen
MUNICH - Centre-half Jarell Quansah has joined Bayer Leverkusen from Premier League champions Liverpool for a reported club record fee, the Bundesliga side announced on Wednesday. According to British and German press, the transfer fee for the 22-year-old could go up to 40 million euros ($47 million), including 10 million euros in add-ons. German specialist media Kicker and The Athletic also reported the inclusion of a 60-million-euros buy-back clause in the contract, which Liverpool could activate from summer 2027 to re-sign Quansah. "We are very happy to be able to sign Jarell Quansah, one of the most promising English central defenders," said Leverkusen managing director of sport Simon Rolfes. "He made a very impressive contribution to a Liverpool defence full of world-class players. Jarell will give our defence extra dynamism, tempo and strength." Quansah becomes the most expensive signing in Leverkusen's history, following on from the previous record arrival of midfielder Kerem Demirbay for 32 million euros in 2019. The 2025 European under-21 champion with England joined Liverpool's academy as a five-year-old, and rose through the ranks before making his first-team debut in 2023. He went on to appear 58 times for the Merseysiders, winning the League Cup in 2022 and 2024, as well as the Premier League title last season. After playing second fiddle to first-choice defensive duo Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate for much of the 2024/25 campaign, Quansah arrives at Leverkusen to replace departed former captain Jonathan Tah at the heart of the Bundesliga club's defence. "The ambitious targets here were clearly explained to me during the negotiations. It's a great role and challenge for me to be part of the current Leverkusen rebuild," said Quansah. After creating league history by winning the Bundesliga undefeated in 2024, Leverkusen endured a difficult title defence last term, finishing 13 points adrift of winners Bayern Munich. Stars of their league-and-cup double from two seasons years ago, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, have recently gone in the opposite direction from Quansah, joining Liverpool from Leverkusen this close-season.
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
Minor tweaks to Junior Bok side for England clash at U20 Championship
Coach Kevin Foote has made just one forced change to his starting team for the match in Rovigo. Gino Cupido has been brought into the SA U20 side for Friday's match against England in Rovigo. Picture: David van der Sandt/Gallo Images Having beaten Australia in their World Rugby U20 Championship opener in Calvisano on Sunday, the Junior Springboks next face England, the defending champions, in Rovigo on Friday. And coach Kevin Foote has made just one change to his starting XV for the match, with Gino Cupido replacing Demitre Erasmus (illness) in midfield. There are also two changes on the bench, with Ceano Everson (scrumhalf) and Dominic Malgas (utility) now among the replacements, in place of Erich Visser and Ian van der Merwe. The rest of the players who helped the side beat Australia 73-17 on Sunday have been retained. 'We can't wait for it' 'There is a huge amount of excitement around Friday and the magnitude of this match,' said Foote. 'We know how important this is, playing against the defending champions. It's an honour to be involved in such a game and a real challenge for us this week. We can't wait for it. 'With Demitre suffering from a bit of heat stroke, we brought in Gino at outside centre, while Ceano and Dominic cover scrumhalf, centre and flyhalf on the bench. 'Demitre, Erich and Ian all played well against Australia, but we are going with a combination that we feel is well suited for us against England.' The Friday evening pool match, which kicks off at 6pm will be broadcast live on SuperSport Rugby. Junior Springbok team to face England: Gilermo Mentoe, Cheswill Jooste, Gino Cupido, Albie Bester, Siyabonga Ndlozi, Vusi Moyo, Haashim Pead, Wandile Mlaba, Bathobele Hlekani, Xola Nyali, JJ Theron, Riley Norton (capt), Herman Lubbe, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Simphiwe Ngobese. Bench: Jaundré Schoeman, Oliver Reid, Jean Erasmus, Jaco Grobbelaar, Matt Romao, Ceano Everson, Dominic Malgas, Jaco Williams
