SA Under 20 coach Dawie Theron has confirmed the inclusion of flyhalf Handrè Pollard, winger Raymond Rhule and scrumhalf Vian van der Watt to the final squad of the Junior Springboks that will contest the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 to be held in South Africa from 4 to 22 June 2012.
Pollard, from Paarl Gymnasium will replace Johan Goosen (shoulder injury) and Golden Lions player Van der Watt comes in for Kevin Luiters (knee injury). Free Stater Rhule replaces Dean Hammond, who pulled a hamstring last week.
All three players slotted in well during the Junior Springboks’ final warm-up match against Hamiltons on Tuesday.
“I am confident that all three players will do well. They are very talented and slotted in with ease since they joined us last week,” Theron said.
The final SA U20 JWC squad is:
Backs: Marais Schmidt, Dillyn Leyds, Travis Ismaiel, Raymond Rhule, Tshotsho Mbovane, William Small-Smith, Paul Jordaan, Patrick Howard, Jan Serfontein, Tony Jantjies, Handrè Pollard, Vian van der Watt, Abrie Griesel.
Forwards: Wiaan Liebenberg (c), Shaun Adendorff, Khaya Majola, Braam Steyn, Fabian Booysen, Pieter Steph du Toit, Ruan Botha, Paul Willemse, Marvin Orie, Maks van Dyk, Allan Dell, Oliver Kebble, Steven Kitshoff, Mark Pretorius, Jason Thomas.