Foote makes minor changes to Junior Boks side for World Champs final …

Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made three changes to the side that defeated England in the Junior World Championship semi-final for Saturday’s final against France in Tbilisi. tbzikra.org

Wasi Vyambwera will start at No 8, with Gert Kemp moving to the bench where he is expected to provide impact later in the contest. Risima Khosa will start at flanker.

The experienced front-row combination of Oliver Reid, captain Siphosethu Mnebelele and Danie Kruger once again anchor the scrum, while Heinrich Theron and JD Hattingh continue their partnership in the second row.

In the loose trio, Luke Cannon joins Khosa and Vyambwera.

There is only one enforced change in the backline, with Alzeadon Felix coming in at fullback for Luan Giliomee, who received a red card in the semi-final.

The settled halfback combination of Hendre Schoeman and Yaqeen Ahmed will start, next to the midfield pairing of Ethan Adams and Markus Muller, while Khuthadzo Rashivago and Cheswill Jooste provide pace on the wings.

Samuel Badenhorst will join Kemp among the replacements as part of the Junior Boks’ bench, which features six forwards and two backs.

The decider at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium kicks off at 6.30pm (SA time).

The Junior Boks, champions in 2025 after defeating New Zealand in last year’s final, will be aiming to become the first South African side to win back-to-back world titles.

Foote, who is in his second season at the helm of the Junior Boks, said his players were keen to take on France.

“This group has been together since the beginning of the year and they understand the way we want to play,” said Foote.

“We’ve used this week to sharpen our readiness and focus on the areas where we felt we could improve.

“The pleasing aspect of this group is their honesty and accountability. The players are open with each other in their assessments, and together we’ve identified solutions and worked hard on those areas. We believe we have prepared well for what will be a massive challenge.”

Foote added: “France are a very formidable side and fully deserve their place in the final. Their performances in the recent JWC and the Six Nations show that they understand how to perform when playing knockout rugby.”

Junior Springbok team to face France in Tbilisi:

Alzeadon Felix, Cheswill Jooste, Markus Muller, Ethan Adams, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, Yaqeen Ahmed, Hendré Schoeman, Wasi Vyambwera, Luke Cannon, Risima Khosa, JD Hattingh, Heinrich Theron, Danie Kruger, Siphosethu Mnebelele (capt), Oliver Reid. Bench: Liam van Wyk, Rambo Kubheka, Luan van der Berg, Jaythen Orange, Thomas Beling, Gert Kemp, Jayden Brits, Samuel Badenhorst

Ils l’ont fait ! En renversant l’Angleterre (2-1) au terme d’une nouvelle démonstration de caractère, l’Argentine s’est qualifiée pour la finale de la Coupe du monde 2026. Les champions du monde en titre ne sont désormais plus qu’à un match d’un exploit que très peu de nations ont réussi dans l’histoire : conserver leur couronne mondiale.

Un exploit vieux de plus de 60 ans

Sacrée au Qatar en 2022, l’Albiceleste peut désormais réaliser ce qu’aucune sélection n’a réussi depuis plus de six décennies. En effet, seules deux nations sont parvenues à remporter deux Coupes du monde consécutives : l’Italie, en 1934 et 1938, puis le Brésil, en 1958 et 1962. Depuis, aucune équipe n’a réussi à défendre son titre.

L’Argentine a donc rendez-vous avec son histoire. Une victoire en finale lui permettrait d’intégrer un cercle extrêmement fermé et de rejoindre deux des plus grandes sélections que le football ait connues.

90 minutes pour entrer dans la légende

Il reste désormais un dernier obstacle sur la route de l’Albiceleste : l’Espagne. Une affiche de rêve, qui pourrait permettre aux hommes de Lionel Scaloni d’écrire l’une des plus belles pages de leur histoire.

En cas de succès, l’Argentine deviendrait la première nation depuis le Brésil de Pelé à conserver son titre mondial. Quatre-vingt-dix minutes séparent désormais les champions du monde en titre d’un exploit que le football attend depuis… 1962.

The post Coupe du monde 2026 : l’Argentine à 90 minutes d’un exploit vieux de 64 ans appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

The Junior Boks have turned to Alzeadon Felix at fullback for Saturday’s Junior World Championship final against France U20 after Luan Giliomee’s suspension.

Giliomee was sent off in South Africa’s semi-final victory over England U20 for making contact with an opponent in the air.

It is the only enforced change in the backline as the Junior Boks aim to win back-to-back Junior World Championship titles for the first time.

MORE: Happy Foote looking forward to U20 decider

The other changes come in the loose trio, where Wasi Vyambwera starts at No 8 in place of Gert Kemp, who shifts to the bench, and Risima Khosa comes in at openside flank.

The experienced front row of Oliver Reid, captain Siphosethu Mnebelele and Danie Kruger remains intact, with Heinrich Theron and JD Hattingh again combining in the second row.

Luke Cannon completes the loose trio alongside Khosa and Vyambwera.

Behind the scrum, Hendré Schoeman and Yaqeen Ahmed continue their impressive halfback partnership, while Ethan Adams and Markus Muller retain their midfield places. Wings Khuthadzo Rasivhaga and Cheswill Jooste complete the back three with Felix.

WATCH: Ex-Boks slam ‘stupid’ dopers

Foote said the squad had used the week well to prepare for what promises to be a massive challenge.

“This group has been together since the beginning of the year and they understand the way we want to play. We’ve used this week to sharpen our readiness and focus on the areas where we felt we could improve.

“The pleasing aspect of this group is their honesty and accountability. The players are open with each other in their assessments, and together we’ve identified solutions and worked hard on those areas.

“We believe we have prepared well for what will be a massive challenge.

“France are a very formidable side and fully deserve their place in the final. Their performances in the recent Junior World Championship and the U20 Six Nations show that they understand how to perform when playing knockout rugby.”

Saturday’s final will kick off at 6:30pm (SA time).

JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS – 15 Alzeadon Felix, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Wasi Vyambwera, 7 Luke Cannon, 6 Risima Khosa, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (c), 1 Oliver Reid.
Bench: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Rambo Kubheka, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 Jaythen Orange, 20 Thomas Beling, 21 Gert Kemp, 22 Jayden Brits, 23 Samuel Badenhorst.

Weekend teams

Photo: @SAJuniorRugby/X

The post Junior Boks back Felix for final appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Jean-Luc du Plessis will captain a new-look Stormers XXIII side featuring six Currie Cup debutants when they launch their campaign against defending champions Griquas at Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.

The experienced flyhalf leads a squad that blends seasoned campaigners with emerging talent as the Stormers begin a new chapter in the competition under coach Tom Dawson-Squibb.

Fullback Dylan Miller, wing Mfundo Ndhlovu, lock Tom Barnard, No 8 Wandile Mlaba, flanker Xola Nyali and utility back Dominic Malgas are all set to make their Currie Cup debuts.

MORE: Stormers XXIII out to end losing streak

There are also first Currie Cup appearances in Stormers colours for hooker Vernon Paulo, prop Hencus van Wyk and scrumhalf Tiaan Fourie.

Du Plessis will partner experienced scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer in the halfbacks, while Josh Boulle and Cornel Smit combine in midfield. Gino Cupido joins Miller and Ndhlovu in an exciting back three.

Up front, veteran loosehead Oli Kebble packs down alongside Paulo and young tighthead Herman Lubbe in the front row.

Former Sharks lock Gerbrandt Grobler brings valuable experience to the second row alongside Barnard.

Mlaba anchors a mobile loose trio with Divan Fuller and Keke Morabe, while Nyali is among the impact players on the bench.

Dawson-Squibb believes his side has embraced the challenge of taking on the defending champions in their opening match.

“We are new as a team, which brings with it the chance of some adapting through the game but more importantly, it brings with it massive enthusiasm and competitiveness.

“My message for the last four weeks has been to compete ‘unreasonably’. We want this team to go above and beyond in every area and push ourselves as far as we can, which is what we mean by being unreasonable. What better way to test this than against the defending champions who are high on confidence.

“This is a big moment as we start a new era, and what better place to do so than DHL Stadium. The players and management are all looking forward to the challenge and giving all we have to make a positive start.”

TEAM: Former Stormer Maart starts for Griquas

The Stormers will also be looking to end Griquas’ dominance in this fixture, with the defending champions having won the last eight meetings between the teams.

STORMERS XXIII – 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Gino Cupido, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (c), 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Oli Kebble
Bench: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Enos Ndiao, 21 Xola Nyali, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Dominic Malgas

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The post Stormers blood six debutants for Griquas clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Une nouvelle fois, le Paradou AC est la cible d’une campagne de désinformation. Depuis quelques heures, une rumeur faisant état de la prétendue vente de l’Académie El Ankaoui a circulé sur certains sites et les réseaux sociaux. Une information totalement infondée qui ne repose sur aucun élément concret et qui relève davantage de la manipulation […]

L’article Fake news : l’Académie du Paradou n’est pas à vendre ! est apparu en premier sur Shoot Africa.