Mapletoft names U20 Men's team to face South Africa

7 Jul 2024 | 3 min |

Mapletoft names U20 Men's team to face South Africa

England U20 Men will play their final pool fixture of the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship at Athlone Stadium (18:00 BST)

The game will be available to watch live and free on RugbyPass TV.

England are currently top of Pool C with ten points after triumphs over Argentina (41-20) and Fiji (48-11) and victory over South Africa would guarantee a place in the semi-finals. Following Argentina’s win over South Africa on Thursday, Los Pumitas and the Baby Boks are level on five points apiece.

Mapletoft has made 11 changes from the starting XV that defeated Fiji in the side’s previous pool fixture; Jack Bracken returns to the side after a hat-trick on debut against Argentina, while U20 Six Nations Player of the Tournament Henry Pollock returns at openside flanker.

Finn Carnduff continues to lead as captain, while Ollie Allan and Ben Coen remain as Mapletoft’s chosen half-back combination.

England have won eight of the previous 12 meetings against South Africa in the World Rugby U20 Championship, with Tuesday's fixture the first pool stage meeting in 11 years. Ten of the 12 meetings have been decided by less than 10 points.

Mark Mapletoft said: “Whilst still needing to refine parts of our game, the team have built momentum excellently coming into Matchday three with two results we’re proud of.

“I’ve been incredibly impressed with the resolve and mental attitude of our team, they have rewarded our trust in selection throughout both games. Relentlessness in our processes has been a key pillar of our tournament so far.

“Playing South Africa on home turf is no easy feat, and we’re under no illusions of the magnitude of what awaits us. The boys know what is at stake, and they will enjoy that, but focus remains firmly on the task at hand when showtime rolls around on Tuesday night.”

Forward Harvey Cuckson suffered an injury against Argentina and will be replaced in the 30-man squad by Tom Burrow, who captained the side in a friendly against Coventry earlier this year as well as the U19 Men in their two 2024 Tests.