Norton to lead Junior Boks in opening Bay battle
The team received a surprise visit from Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, who welcomed them to the region.
'As the Eastern Cape provincial government and all the people of this proud province, we are immensely honoured to host this prestigious Sanzaar event, bringing together the future stars of rugby from across the southern hemisphere to the Home of Legends,' Mabuyane said.
'This tournament is more than just rugby, it is an investment in our youth, a boost to our economy, and a powerful symbol of the Eastern Cape's growing reputation as a world-class sporting destination as well as its capability to host world-class events.'
Junior Springbok team: 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Demitre Erasmus, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Gino Cupido, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Matt Romao, 6 Thando Biyela, 5 JJ Theron, 4 Riley Norton (capt), 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Sethu Mnebelele, 1 Oliver Reid. Replacements: 16 Juandré Schoeman, 17 Ranon Fouché, 18 JD Erasmus, 19 Morné Venter, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Vusi Moyo, 23 JC Mars
Gqeberha fixtures:
Thursday May 1, 2pm : New Zealand vs Australia, 4.10pm : Junior Boks vs Argentina.
Tuesday May 6, 2pm : New Zealand vs Argentina, 4.10pm : Junior Boks vs Australia.
Sunday May 11, 2pm : Argentina vs Australia, 4.10pm : Junior Boks vs New Zealand.
Tickets are priced at R20 a person and will be available at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium ticket office or online from Webtickets.
The Herald
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
42 minutes ago
- eNCA
Starc strikes as Australia fight back in WTC final against Proteas
LONDON - Mitchell Starc led Australia's recovery as the defending champions fought back with the ball against South Africa on the first day of the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Wednesday. Australia were dismissed for just 212 after South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss in bowler-friendly conditions, with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada taking 5-51. But at stumps South Africa had slumped to 43-4 in reply, a deficit of 169 runs, as Starc finished the day with figures of 2-10 in seven overs. South Africa's Marco Jansen, who took 3-49, admitted it had been a mixed day for the Proteas, telling the BBC: "Bowling-wise I think we did really well... They bowled well and we are going to have our work cut out for us tomorrow." Given the strength of both teams' pace attacks, the key question was always likely to be which side could put enough runs on the scoreboard. Australia's total certainly looked a lot healthier when left-arm quick Starc had Aiden Markram playing on for a duck before dismissing Ryan Rickelton (16) to leave South Africa floundering at 19-2. Novice number three Wiaan Mulder, dropped on one, was bowled by Australia captain Pat Cummins, having taken 44 balls to make six. And shortly before the close, Josh Hazlewood bowled Tristan Stubbs. Australia had earlier slumped to 67-4 at lunch. But star batsman Steve Smith (66) and all-rounder Beau Webster (72) repaired the damage with a fifth-wicket stand of 79. "Two good bowling outfits, it was tough work for the batters," Webster told the BBC. "We've got a score on the board and to grab four scalps at the end of the day, I think we're pretty happy." Webster, however, would have been lbw to Rabada for eight if South Africa had reviewed an original not out decision. "There were a couple of reviews throughout the day which could've gone either way," said Webster. "The degree of seam movement up the slope was tricky." Rampant Rabada AFP | Glyn KIRK Australia were in desperate trouble in the early overs, reduced to 16-2 after losing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a single Rabada over. The 30-year-old, who has more than 300 Test wickets, is playing his first Test after serving a one-month ban for cocaine use earlier this year. "It means a lot for me playing for South Africa, I give my all each and every time. I am so happy to do the job out there," Rabada told Sky Sports. Australia have struggled to find an opening partner for Khawaja since David Warner's retirement 17 months ago, with Marnus Labuschagne the latest batsman tried out. The 30-year-old, without a Test century for nearly two years, battled hard for 17 off 56 balls before falling to towering left-armer Jansen. Australia had been in similar trouble in the 2023 final against India across London at The Oval, only for Smith and Travis Head to both score hundreds as they turned the match in their favour. Head, however, could only manage 11 before he glanced Jansen, with Kyle Verreynne holding an excellent diving one-handed catch. Smith went to fifty before falling to part-time spinner Markram after Jansen, at slip, clung on at the third attempt. Australia lost their last five wickets for just 20 runs, with Rabada ending the innings when he bowled Starc. Rabada's haul meant he surpassed Allan Donald's tally of 330 Test wickets in his 71st match compared to the retired South Africa great's 72 Tests.
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Life moves on for Kagiso Rabada, but now calls on Proteas batters to combat Aussie speedsters
Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed his second five-wicket haul at Lord's on Wednesday. Picture: BackpagePix Image: Picture: BackpagePix LONDON: Kagiso Rabada has already delivered a special bowling performance. He may now have to double up with the bat on Thursday for the Proteas to keep going toe-to-toe with Australia in this fast-moving World Test Championship Final at Lord's. The opening two sessions belonged to Rabada and the Proteas. They had the large number of Proteas fans in the stands chanting traditional South African songs as the Aussies were blown away. 'It felt like a home game,' Rabada said. But he also admitted that the eventual Australian may have been a few too many. '212, you'll take that. But we thought probably 160 is what we should have had them at,' he said. The fact that it was that much was largely due to a non-review by the Proteas when Rabada wrapped Australia's top-scorer Beau Webster (72) on the pads when he had just eight. 'Yeah, Corbin Bosch came down to find leg and he said it was out. And I was like, oh man! Rabada sighed. 'Yeah, it was a bit annoying. He didn't start off too well there. It looked like he was going to get out any ball. But I guess his positive intent got him through. Cricket's a funny game.' It was no laughing matter, though, when Rabada's hard work was undone in the final session when the Australian seamers ran through the Proteas' top-order to leave Shukri Conrad's team at 43/4 when the stumps were drawn. Unlike Webster, and Steve Smith's (66) counter-attacking approach at the crease, the Proteas batters never threw a punch in anger as the Australian attack landed one left hook after the other. Southpaw Mitchell Starc was particularly impressive with figures of 2/10. But unlike Rabada that operated primarily in solo fashion, Starc had Pat Cummins (1/14) and Josh Hazlewood (1/10) for support. 'The ball was nipping quite a bit and at times moving off the slope quite a lot. But I still felt like batters could get in,' Rabada said. 'If you just bowled well and got more balls in the right area for a long period of time, then that's when you could create chances. They didn't miss their lengths and they bowled really well. So, we're going to have to combat that tomorrow (Thursday).' The Proteas' chances may have nose-dived in that final hour, but it remained a day to remember for Rabada for so many reasons. The fast bowler has been in the spotlight since testing for a banned substance and the spotlight was firmly on the 30-year-old to see how he would respond to the scrutiny. Independent Media's Zaahier Adams will be at Lord's for the World Test Championship bringing you all the news, videos and podcasts. Picture: Independent Media Image: Independent Media
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
Kagiso Rabada shines for Proteas on seesaw opening day of Test final
The SA team were restricted to 43/4 at the close of play, trailing Australia by 169 runs in their first innings. Kagiso Rabada celebrates his fifth wicket on the opening day of the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images South Africa found themselves against the ropes late on Wednesday, despite controlling the game for most of the opening day of the World Test Championship final against Australia in London. With 14 wickets falling on day one, the global final got off to a spectacular start, with bowlers dominating for both teams. Though they did well to take control in the early stages of the match, the Proteas crumbled in the final session, as they stumbled to 43/4 at the close of play, trailing the defending champions by 169 runs with six wickets in hand in their first innings. Having bundled out the Baggy Greens for 212 runs in the final session, the SA team looked to be in the driving seat, but they lost their first four wickets for just 30 runs. Ryan Rickelton, who made 16 runs, was the only member of the Proteas' top five who hit double figures, as they were left flailing in the chase for South Africa's first global Test title. When stumps were drawn, captain Temba Bavuma was on three not out, after facing 37 balls as he tried to play out the day, and David Bedingham was unbeaten on eight. Australia first innings Earlier, Kagiso Rabada led the charge as the Proteas frontline attack ripped through Australia's line-up after the SA team won the toss and opted to field. Rabada took 5/51 – his 17th career five-wicket haul – and his second at Lord's, after he achieved the feat against England in August 2022. And he was well backed by Marco Jansen, who returned 3/49, as the Baggy Greens were bundled out 212 within 57 overs in their first innings. After losing four wickets in the first session, Steve Smith and Beau Webster shared 79 runs for the fifth wicket before Smith was removed by Marco Jansen for 66 to break the stand. Webster went on to contribute 72 runs, but Rabada and Jansen dismantled the lower order shortly after lunch, and it looked like Australia were in trouble before their bowling attack hit back.
