The two South Africa U18 squads (SA U18 and SA U18 ‘A’) show extensive rotational changes for their second-round matches of the U18 International Series, which will take place at Boland Landbou near Wellington in the Western Cape.
The SA U18 ‘A’ team will face Georgia at 11.30am, and this will be followed by the SA U18 match against Ireland at 1.30pm, with England and France rounding off the day’s action at 3.30pm.
The SA U18 coach Lwazi Zangqa has made 11 changes to his team, stating that these changes align with their overall strategy to meet their objectives and provide every player with an opportunity to showcase their skills at international level.
Only four players from the starting line-up that comfortably beat France in the opening round have been retained to face Ireland. They are vice-captain AJ Meyer (lock), Gert Kemp (No 8), captain Markus Muller (outside centre) and Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback).
Zangqa anticipates a tough challenge from the Irish side, who beat the SA U18 ‘A’ team in a close-fought match on Friday: “We are looking forward to the fixture against Ireland whom we believe will be a highly motivated and confident opponent on Tuesday afternoon.”
Meanwhile, SA U18 ‘A’ coach Flash Malinga has retained five players for their match against Georgia, saying that the rotational changes were part of the team's preparations, giving all players a chance to start at international level for their development.
The retained players in the SA U18 ‘A’ starting line-up from their close defeat to Ireland are vice-captain Migael Turner (lock), Liam Lightly (flanker), Quintin Potgieter (No 8), captain Jeandre Uithaler (flyhalf) and Ncutu Kepe (wing).
Malinga acknowledged Georgia's strong performance against England – they won 35-31 last Friday – and said they are expecting a hard and physical encounter. He added that the players have prepared to face this physicality while also looking to showcase their own style of play.
“We know what’s coming from Georgia,” said Malinga. “They are hard and physical, but we will be looking to showcase our own style as much as we prepare to match their physicality. We are looking forward to playing against a very good international side.”
This is how Day 2 of the U18 International Series will look 🔥
— SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) August 11, 2025
See you there 🫡#BuildingBoks pic.twitter.com/nHkP4j3dc6
All three games will be broadcast on the SuperSchools channels. Tickets are only R20 per person and are available at the gate or online from Quicket.
SA U18 v Ireland:
15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks)
14 Junaide Stuart (Bulls)
13 Markus Muller (captain, Western Province)
12 Christian Vorster (South Western Districts)
11 Lamla Mgedezi (Free State)
10 Ruben Groenewald (Bulls)
9 Jayden Brits (Western Province)
8 Gert Kemp (Western Province)
7 Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks)
6 Jacobus de Villiers (South Western Districts)
5 AJ Meyer (vice-captain, Free State)
4 Jayden Joubert (Western Province)
3 Matthew van der Merwe (Western Province)
2 Clinton Agu (Lions)
1 Jordan Jooste (Western Province)
Replacements
16 Altus Rabe (Western Province)
17.Kai Pratt (South Western Districts)
18 JG Badenhorst (Free State)
19 Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks)
20 Chinedu Amadi (Lions)
21 Joshua Neill (Western Province)
22 Morne Noble (Western Province)
23 Liyema Nela (Sharks)
24 Ethan Adams (Free State)
25 Jadrian Afrikaner (Sharks)
26 Thabiso Simelane (Bulls)
SA U18 ‘A’ v Georgia:
15 Ethan van Biljon (Western Province)
14 Junade Pasensie (Bulls)
13 Erin Nelson (Eastern Province)
12 Sbabalwe Magwebu (Border)
11 Ncutu Kepe (Border)
10 Jeandre Uithaler (captain, Lions)
9 Mickyle Booise (Western Province)
8 Quintin Potgieter (Western Province)
7 Liam Lightly (South Western Districts)
6 Briint Davids (Western Province)
5 Migael Turner (vice-captain, Western Province)
4 Lian Terblanche (Sharks)
3 Deon Botes (Bulls)
2 Thomas Muller (Western Province)
1 Pieta Cilliers (Western Province)
Replacements
16 Keenan Myners (South Western Districts)
17 Jeffrey Singo (Bulls)
18 Bernhard du Toit (Western Province)
19 Diaan Augustyn (South Western Districts)
20 Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Sharks)
21 Zirk Meyer (Bulls)
22 Lizwe Mthethwa (Sharks)
23 Nathan Aneke (Sharks)
24 Reinhart Viljoen (South Western Districts)
25 Jeneall Davids (Western Province)
U18 International Series fixtures at Boland Landbou – Tuesday, 12 August:
11.30am: SA U18 ‘A’ v Georgia
1.30pm: SA U18 v Ireland
3.30pm: England v France
