Twin brothers Jesse and Dan Kriel will play alongside each other for the Junior Springboks against New Zealand U20 in Auckland on Friday.

Injuries have forced coach Dawie Theron into a reshuffle for the crunch clash in Pool C at the Junior World Championship.

Midfielders Rohan Janse van Rensburg (ankle) and André Esterhuizen (head blow) have been ruled out after suffering injuries against the Scots. Dan Kriel will start in place of the stricken Esterhuizen while Duhan van der Merwe, who only joined the team yesterday, will move onto the bench. Scrumhalf JP Smith also makes his way into the starting team, with Zee Mkhabela dropping to the bench.

In the forwards, hooker Malcolm Marx has been ruled out of the tournament after picking up a knee injury in the opening fixture. Coach Theron has opted to change his whole front row, with Thomas du Toit, Corniel Els, Dayan van der Westhuizen rotating off the bench. Elsewhere towering lock JD Schickerling got the nod over Abongile Nonkontwana, while Jean-Luc du Preez comes in at flank for the injured Vermeulen (ankle).

Handré Pollard will lead the Boks once again after a scintillating showing in the opener against the Scots.

Junior Springboks – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Lloyd Greeff, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Handré Pollard (c), 9 JP Smith, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Jean-Luc du Preez, 5 Nico Janse van Rensburg, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Subs: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Abongile Nonkontwana, 20 Victor Sekekete, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Duhan van der Merwe.

Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images