Nhleko overhauls pack to face U20 Six Nations champs

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Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko has retained just two forwards from the U20 Summer Series victory over England for the clash with Ireland on Wednesday.

Nhleko retained the starting backline that did duty in the win over England, but locks Reinhardt Ludwig and Cameron Hanekom are the only two survivors in the pack for the fiery battle against Ireland, who won the U20 Six Nations competition earlier this year.

The match kicks off in Verona, Italy at 8pm and will be streamed live on www.springboks.rugby, as well as broadcast live on SuperSport.

Props Corne Lavanga and Sivu Mabece and hooker Tiaan Lange will pack down in the front row. Ludwig’s new lock partner is Corne Rahl while Hanekom, who a had a strong outing against the English, will be flanked by Paul de Villiers and Louw Nel in the back row.

The new-look replacements bench have only utility backs Compion von Ludwig and Imad Khan from the 11 substitutes used in the opening fixture.

Junior Bok assistant coach Chean Roux has called on the team to raise their intensity if they want to topple a very good Irish side, adding that squad rotation is necessary because of the short turnaround time between games.

“The Irish will be hurting after that loss to France and we have to make sure we are physically and mentally prepared and up for the challenge,” said Roux.

“They are a proud team who showed what they’re capable of during their recent successful U20 Six Nations campaign, so we have no doubt what they will bring against us.”

Junior Boks – 15 Duran Koevort, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Ethan James, 12 Carlton Banies, 11 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 10 Sacha Mngomezulu, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Sivuyise Mabece, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Corne Lavagna
Subs: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Friedrich Weilbach, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Siya Ningiza, 21 Niel le Roux, 22 Compion von Ludwig, 23 Katlego Letebele, 24 Ruan Venter, 25 Gcino Mdletshe, 26 Imad Khan

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