DHL Western Province starlet Jacques Vermeulen has replaced injured Cell C Sharks lock Daniel du Preez in the Junior Springboks squad that will travel to New Zealand today for the upcoming IRB Junior World Championships.
Loose forward/lock Vermeulen will join fellow DHL WP forward prospect, lock JD Schickerling, in the 28-man squad as the Baby Boks look to repeat the memorable success they enjoyed on home soil in 2012.
Both Vermeulen and Schickerling represented SA Schools in 2013 and this year they joined the WP Rugby Institute in Stellenbosch to continue their rugby development.
Meanwhile, Du Preez will continue with his rehabilitation in South Africa and is on standby, subject to regaining fitness, in case a replacement forward is needed during the tournament.
The 2014 Junior World Championships tournament will be staged from June 2 to 20 in Auckland and SA Under-20 coach Dawie Theron said: “It’s a very difficult group and is a big challenge for us, so we will take it one game at a time.
“For now we don’t want to look too far ahead. We see Scotland as our most important match, so that we can get going and lay the foundation. That’s why it’s so important to get it right from the start – but it’s also a great opportunity.”
The Junior Springboks coach believes that hosts New Zealand – draw into Pool C along with South Africa, Samoa and Scotland – will be under huge pressure in their own country, saying: “I think the pressure is massive on New Zealand, it will be a major challenge for them.”
The revised 2014 Baby Boks squad is:
Cyle Brink (Golden Lions, flank)
Aidon Davis (EP Kings, No.8)
Jean-Luc du Plessis (Cell C Sharks, flyhalf)
Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks, flank)
Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks, prop)
Joseph Dweba (Toyota Free State, hooker)
Corniel Els (Vodacom Blue Bulls, hooker)
Andrè Esterhuizen (Cell C Sharks, centre)
Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Blue Bulls, fullback)
Lloyd Greef (Leopards, wing)
Dan Kriel (Vodacom Blue Bulls, centre)
Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Blue Bulls, fullback)
Wilco Louw (Vodacom Blue Bulls, prop)
Thabo Mabuza (Golden Lions, flank)
Malcolm Marx (Golden Lions, hooker)
Mthokozisi ‘Zee’ Mkhabela (Toyota Free State, scrumhalf)
Ngobisizwe Mxoli (Vodacom Blue Bulls, prop)
Abongile Nonkontwana (Vodacom Blue Bulls, lock)
Sergeal Petersen (EP Kings, wing)
Handrè Pollard (Vodacom Blue Bulls, flyhalf – captain)
JD Schickerling (DHL Western Province, lock)
Pierre Schoeman (Vodacom Blue Bulls, prop)
Victor Sekekete (Golden Lions, flank)
Justin ‘JP’ Smith (Vodacom Blue Bulls, scrumhalf)
Dayan van der Westhuizen (Vodacom Blue Bulls, prop)
Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Vodacom Blue Bulls, lock)
Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Vodacom Blue Bulls, centre)
Jacques Vermeulen (DHL Western Province, loose forward)
The Junior Springboks’ 2014 JWC fixtures:
June 2 : SA v Scotland (North Harbour)
June 6: SA v New Zealand (North Harbour)
June 10: SA v Samoa (Pukekohe)
June 15: Play-offs (TBC)
June 20: Finals (Auckland)