Flyhalf Vusi Moyo has been named on the bench for the Junior Springboks’ U20 Rugby Championship opener against Argentina U20 in Gqeberha on Monday.
He is joined in the match 23 by fellow 2025 Junior World Championship winners Riley Norton (lock and captain), and props Rambo Kubheka and Oliver Reid.
Moyo returns to action after a hip injury ruled him out of the tour to Georgia earlier this year.
UCT wing Jack Benade has been rewarded for his form during the recent Varsity Cup, as well as for impressing during the two-week training camp in Stellenbosch. He will wear the No 14 jersey, with Lindsey Jansen occupying the opposite wing.
With inside centre Markus Muller called up to the Stormers, the Junior Boks’ midfield combination will now feature the powerful Ethan Adams at inside centre, partnered by Samuel Badenhorst on the outside.
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Alzeadon Felix, an injury replacement at the global showpiece in Italy last year, will start at fullback to complete the back three, while Yaqeen Ahmed and Hendré Schoeman will form the halfback pairing.
Up front, Kubheka and Danie Kruger will pack down on either side of hooker Liam van Wyk, while Norton will be partnered in the engine room by Heinrich Theron.
Luke Canon, Kebotile Maake and Thomas Beling form the loose trio combination.
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Apart from Muller, the Junior Boks will also be without the services of Bulls wing Cheswill Jooste and Sharks fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya, both of whom are on URC duty.
Utility back Luan Giliomee and hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele are also unavailable for selection due to injury.
Coach Kevin Foote says the Junior Boks are under no illusion what to expect from Argentina on Monday.
“They are known for their physicality and their solid set-piece, so we know we will have to steady ourselves for a very tough contest.
“Our recent contests have been very close – they played exceptionally well against us in this tournament last year, and we had to dig very deep to overcome them in the semi-final of the World Championship last year in Italy.
“Argentina, like the other southern hemisphere sides, prefer a high-tempo game with plenty of ball in play.
“They are a battle-hardened, tenacious outfit, and we will have to work extremely hard throughout the contest if we want to impose ourselves.
“Our DNA is our physicality, and we are looking forward to playing an exciting brand of rugby.”
Monday’s match kicks off at 4:10pm.
JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS – 15 Alzeadon Felix, 14 Jack Benade, 13 Samuel Badenhorst, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Lindsey Jansen, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Thomas Beling, 6 Luke Canon, 5 Riley Norton (c), 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Rambo Kubheka.
Bench: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Kai Pratt, 19 JD Hattingh, 20 Risima Khosa, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga.
2026 U20 Rugby Championship fixtures
Round 1, 27 April
New Zealand vs Australia (2pm)
South Africa vs Argentina (4:10pm)
Round 2, 3 May
New Zealand vs Argentina (2pm)
South Africa vs Australia (4:10pm)
Round 3, 9 May
Argentina vs Australia (2pm)
South Africa vs New Zealand (4:10pm)
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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