After all, having missed out on the Under 21 version of the competition in Clermont Ferrand two years ago and having finished as runners up, once again, at the Under 19 World Championship in Belfast last summer, the junior Springboks are determined to make it third time lucky.
The Pool favourites are in good spirit as they prepare for the opening game against the USA (5.00pm).
Gerrit-Jan van Velze, the promising Blues Bulls No.8, heads up a squad that includes 16 members of the South African side who reached last season’s final at Ravenhill. And amongst that group are outstanding centres Stephan Dippenaar and Stefan Watermeyer, fullback Wilton Pietersen and flanker Johan van Deventer – South Africa’s Under 19 Player of the Year in 2007.
Dippenaar and scrum half Francois Hougaard both boast Super 14 experience with the Bulls, while the current Craven Week Player of the Year Pietersen is one of three squad members to have played for the Springbok Sevens on the IRB Sevens World Series this season.
The two others are Juan de Jongh, who impressed in the Wellington leg back in February, and 19-year-old Robert Ebersohn, a try scorer in the Adelaide Sevens final as South Africa became the first team to beat New Zealand this season.
“South Africa has a proud tradition at junior international level with many current Springboks having made their name first at this level. Our squad includes the core of the SA U19 team of last year that performed so admirably before losing to New Zealand in the Cup final,” said coach Eric Sauls.
Scotland’s challenge will be led by skipper Lewis Calder –Â son of Jim and nephew of Finlay – who admits that his side are desperate to put behind them the ignominy of finishing with this season’s Six Nations wooden spoon.
“We were unfortunate not to win at least two of those games, although the statistics speak for themselves,” said Calder. “We have worked hard over the past month or so and we are certainly looking forward to the challenge.”
Samoa and the USA make up the Pool with the most eagerly awaited game coming on Tuesday when Scotland take on the Springboks (7.00pm).
Match tickets are on sale at £2 for children and £8 for adults and can be bought at The Racecourse Ticket Office right up until kick-off.
South Africa: Cecil Afrika; Vainon Willis, Stefan Watermeyer, Robert Ebersohn, Lionel Mapoe; Josias Ebersohn, Dewalt Duvenage; Jean-Jacques Rossouw, Pieter Janse Van Vuuren, Wiehahn Herbst, Cornell Hess, Sobelo Nhlapo, Thiliphaut Marole, Ralph Koster, Gerrit van Velze (Capt)Â
Replacements: Henri Bantjes, Frederick Kirsten, Martin Muller, Luvuyuiso Lusaseni, Francois Hougaard, Francois Brummer, Wilton Pietersen
USA: Nate Ebner; Adam Ducoing, Thretton Palamo, Jack Tracy, Zach Test; Tyler Siceloff, Sean Treacy; Stevie Johnston, Bill Wynne, Shawn Pittman, Kevin Erskine,5 Scott Lavalla, Liam Murphy, Austin Cella, Taylor Mokate
Replacements: Ryan Fitcher, Maxime Paganini, Teddy Barron, Ryan McTiernan, Scott Metcalf, Steven Sablan, Gareth Jones
Samoa: Fa’atoina Autagavaia; Alatasi Tupou, Aaron Smith, Alvin Smith, David Masoe; Ioane Sefo, Tenina Sauileoge; Siaosi Iona, Kalem Chan Boon, Roysiu Tolufale, Maselino Paulino, Levi Asifa’amatala, Richard Muagututia, Afa Aiono (Capt), Misioka Timoteo
Replacements: Anetelea Lalotoa, Davidson Fiu Tavita, Ray Pese, Ikoke Solomona, Ivy Leileisiuao, Talalelei Malo, Sanele Vavae Tuilagi
Scotland: Peter Horne; Lee Jones, Chris Kinloch, Stephen McColl, Paul Loudon; Ruaridh Jackson (Capt), Peter Jericevich; Gary Strain, Adrian Duncan, Joe Stafford, Fraser McKenzie, Richie Gray, Steven Burton, Andrew Rose, Craig Simmonds
Replacements: Niall Shannon, Lewis Niven, Neale Patrick, Lewis Calder, Ross Samson, Jamie Murray, Tom Bury
