Baby Boks team v Italy 11 changes

Junior Springboks coach Dawie Theron made eleven changes to his side to play Italy at the UWC Stadium in their second match of the IRB Junior World Championship 2012.

Only Jan Serfontein (centre), Paul Willemse (lock), Steven Kitshoff (prop) and captain and flanker Wiaan Liebenberg remained from the side that lost their opening match against Ireland.

Four players, Marais Schmidt (fullback), Travis Ismaiel (wing), William Small-Smith (centre) and Khaya Majola will make their first appearance at the tournament, while Handrè Pollard (flyhalf) and Braam Steyn (eightman) was unused substitutes against Ireland.

Theron explained the big turnover of players for this match.

“This was always part of our planning, as we only have a three day turnaround between the two matches. We are keen to redeem ourselves against Italy as we disappointed ourselves and our supporters against the Irish and I am convinced that the new players in the team will provide us with a lot of positive energy.”

Liebenberg said the changes will not affect their play.

“We have been training together as a group for a while now and the new guys slotted in with ease. We are lucky to have such a short turnaround in that we can now rectify the mistakes we made in our opening game. We are still in the hunt to win the tournament.”

Team vs Italy (Friday 8 June 2012, kick-off 18h45):

15. Marais Schmidt (MTN Golden Lions)

14. Tshotsho Mbovane (DHL Western Province)

13. William Small-Smith (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

12. Jan Serfontein (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

11. Travis Ismaiel (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

10. Handrè Pollard (DHL Western Province)

9. Vian van der Watt (MTN Golden Lions)

8. Braam Steyn (KZN)

7. Wiaan Liebenberg (Vodacom Blue Bulls, captain)

6. Khaya Majola (KZN)

5. Ruan Botha (MTN Golden Lions)

4. Paul Willemse (MTN Golden Lions)

3. Oliver Kebble (DHL Western Province)

2. Jason Thomas (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

1. Steven Kitshoff (DHL Western Province)

Reserves:

16. Mark Pretorius (MTN Golden Lions)

17. Allan Dell (KZN)

18. Pieter Steph du Toit (KZN)

19. Fabian Booysen (MTN Golden Lions)

20. Abrie Griesel (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

21. Tony Jantjies (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

22. Pat Howard (DHL Western Province)

23. Maks van Dyk (KZN)

Saffex

See what I said about the players that played badly last week.   They are going to find it very difficult to get anywhere in the Junior WC if they do not win by a massive margin tomorrow.

Retention of only four players from the starting line up on Monday inate to me that he others have been demoted as a result of non-performance, irrespective of the mouthings of the coach.    I am surprised about Kitshoff - he wqas pathetic against the Irish.

Nope I disagree, there is no way a coach would drop 11 players after one match, this has to be a rotational policy.

So because Kitshoff slipped a bind once after slipping you have him down as pathetic, get a grip man. The kid has proved himself at S15 level, why on earth would you doubt his ability at a lower level - do you think what you have just said about him makes any sense.

Same can be said of Jordaan and Steph du Toit, both proven S15 players, do you think the coach now all of a sudden doubts these players - I think not unless he is a complete idiot, which given his record, might just be the case.

But having said that Theron is no doubt a fool for making so many changes given we have to win this one by some margin. Just another example of why this guy needs to be axed after the comp.

Give me the job, I say !!