Junior Springboks defender Luan Gilliam left training on Thursday to attend a disciplinary hearing after receiving a red card. The defending champions are concerned about his participation in the final match against France, which is scheduled for Saturday.
The Junior Springboks made minor adjustments to their starting lineup for the World Cup final. They aim to retain the title by playing against France on Saturday. Due to Luan Gilliam's suspension, head coach Kevin Foote had to decide to maintain squad stability, including Alzeadon Felix as a replacement.
The rest of the defensive line for the upcoming match at Michael Meski Stadium (starting at 18:30) remained unchanged compared to the squad that defeated England in the semi-finals. Gilliam received a red card for an aerial tackle against England, forcing him to leave training to attend the hearing, which necessitated changes from Foote in the back row.
Kevin Foote stated at an online press conference that they are still awaiting the results of Luan's hearing but felt it was best to play with a proven squad. He noted that significant work had been done on Luan's appeal, and they were trying to expedite it. Since Gilliam was due to leave training early, the team is waiting for the verdict.
Foote added that Alzeadon has experience playing in the World Cup last year and interacts well with Yakin (Ahmed, the playmaker). The coach emphasized the team's desire to see the process through, and once Luan's status is known, they will have clarity. In any case, he expressed hope that Luan would be cleared and the team could move forward.
Speaking about the match itself, Foote said the team is preparing for the challenges posed by the strong French side. He expects a physically demanding battle, similar to previous encounters, but with more ingenuity than before. The Junior Boks plan to counter this using their own style of running rugby and the power of their forwards.
The team intends to use its possession to initiate attacks. However, they are aware that France prefers chaotic play and ball recovery after turnovers. Therefore, the plan is to strictly adhere to their structure and play according to their style—physically and quickly. Foote noted that while they played good rugby in the tournament, they sometimes let themselves relax. Now, however, it is necessary to maintain a high level of play, as weaknesses have been addressed, and the players are confident.
A key factor for the Junior Springboks team will be a fast start in the upcoming World Cup semi-final against England, which is scheduled for Monday evening in Georgia. The team's main objective is to avoid a slow start to the match and to find the optimal balance between ball retention and employing an attacking football style.
The South African national team, coached by Kevin Fut, must be particularly cautious not to repeat the situation where they allowed Wales to take a 14-0 lead in the last group match last week. A more serious challenge from the English team is expected in the capital of Georgia (the match starts at 18:30).
Therefore, the team needs to find the right balance from the very beginning: starting aggressively while minimizing errors that could give an early advantage to the England U20 team.
Captain Siphosetu Mnebhelele stated that the team has focused on how to start the game successfully, utilizing valuable experience gained during the match against Wales. He emphasized: 'We cannot give them even the slightest chance. It is about focusing on ourselves and doing what we do best from the first whistle. We have a task, and we must accomplish it from the start.'
Mnebhelele added that the match against Wales was decisive, as a loss would mean elimination from the playoffs. He acknowledged the initial nervousness of the players but noted that the team managed to recover thanks to having players capable of fulfilling their duties.
Utility defender Luan Gilime returns to the squad for the playoffs after sustaining an injury in the match against Wales. He believes that missing one match after a concussion in the game against Georgia was somewhat a blessing, as it allowed him to contribute to the team in a different role. Nevertheless, he is ready for the challenge posed by England and is eager to help in any role assigned to him on Monday.
Gilime also noted that observing the team from the sidelines helped him assess strengths and weaknesses, which he then used to prepare for the match against England. He stressed the importance of tactical balance, which the team meticulously practiced in training, and hopes to demonstrate this to the world against England.
The Springboks team won the first match of the Nations Championship, convincingly defeating England with a score of 45:21 at Ellis Park stadium. The victory was achieved through a combination of physical superiority, attacking skill, and brilliant play in the second half.
In the match, which served as a strong statement for the Springboks, many players demonstrated outstanding performance. Fullback Damian Willemse, playing in his 50th test match, was one of the team's best players, skillfully handling high kicks under great pressure. He also easily bypassed English defenders and made several crucial tackles, preventing scoring attempts.
Cheznin Kolbe showed himself to be a reliable player, performing brilliantly in all aspects of his 50th match, especially when dealing with high balls. He scored a good touchdown by beating the last defender and converted several excellent conversions.
In the Springboks player ratings in Johannesburg, Jesse Kriel was noted for improving his game in attack and defense despite a slow start, keeping the English forwards at bay. Damian de Allende also showed strong play, advancing the ball in the midfield and forcing defenders to work.
Kurt-Lee Arendse demonstrated brilliant play, including a save on a high kick near the try line, although his performance was marred by a yellow card. Mani Leibbok provided the team with an advantage through superb passes, creating space for his backline, and effectively using both feet to kick for the try.
Grant Williams worked hard in defense, making strong tackles against larger players, but his side kick raised questions and did not always have the desired effect. Jasper Wiese, despite making a tackle error on George Martin, started the game very actively, showing strong bursts and work in the battle for the ball.
Cameron Hanekom lost some ground and attacking momentum due to a poor touch in a good position. Paul de Villiers constantly worked in the battle for the ball but did not receive recognition for his efforts. Ruan Northe demonstrated consistent work ethic in both defense and ball carrying, although his interaction with Malcolm Marx in the play was not perfect.
Peter-Steph du Toit, taking on the role of captain, led by example, being a strong defensive player. Thomas du Toit scored a good touchdown despite conceding a critical tackle during the English attack. Malcolm Marx struggled to find his position in the play but worked diligently, maintaining the team's tempo.
Players such as Ox Nche also participated in the match, who sustained an injury after a strong run. Substitutes included Jan-Hendrik Vessels, Gerhard Stenekamp, Zachary Porten, Marco van Staden, Ben-Jason Dixon, Kobus Reinah, Andre Esterhuizen, and Kanan Moody, who contributed to the game.
