The SA U18 team will face a formidable France side at 15h30, while the SA U18 ‘A’ team will test their mettle against Ireland when they kick off the series at 11h30. England and Georgia will play in the 13h30 fixture. All matches will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Schools platform.

In announcing the two SA U18 match-day squads, the coaches have confirmed that Markus Muller will lead the SA U18s against France, while the SA U18 ‘A’ side will be skippered by Jeandre Uithaler.

Meanwhile, in the build-up to the U18 Series, the coaches have highlighted the importance of continuity and the valuable experience the young players will gain by playing against strong international competition.

Lwazi Zangqa, head coach of the SA U18s, is excited about the opportunity for his team, which are the future Junior Bok generation.

“Our match day squad is a continuation from the SA Schools fixture last month in Middelburg,” said Zangqa. “We are honoured to represent South Africa at U18 level, which is a step up to international level, and we have another fantastic opportunity to showcase our rugby skills.”

Zangqa noted that playing together previously has allowed the team to iron out any issues and the opportunity to develop as a combination: “The advantage of playing the SA Schools fixture and working with more or less the same group is that you have an opportunity to continue working with and developing the same group.”

The SA U18 coach highlighted the continuity in his team’s selection, particularly the dynamic centre pairing of Markus Muller and Ethan Adams in the midfield.

“We’ve gone predominantly with the SA Schools side which played against the SA ‘A’ side, which shows continuity,” Zangqa explained.

“We have Markus and Ethan as a centre pairing again, although they have swapped around with Ethan at inside centre and Markus on the outside. Josh Neill is back from injury, and he is included in the loose trio, and we are fortunate to have a player who has played at U18 international level last year.”

Zangqa is also well aware of the challenge against the French: “France won't be an easy opponent, but it’s a fantastic opportunity for the youngsters to test their skill set against a top-class international side.”

The SA U18 coach also revealed that the medium-term goal is to prepare players for future Junior Bok representation: “We want to get these boys as best prepared for the World Rugby U20 Championship for next two years. Everything in all our efforts is done in assisting Kevin Foote in preparing and selecting the Junior Boks for international participation.”

The two SA U18 teams have also benefited from the expertise of the Junior Bok coaching staff.

“The insight they bring is immense and we are very fortunate that they have offered their time to come and assist us on this journey, and we feel well supported by SA Rugby. Now it time to deliver,” Zangqa concluded.

Meanwhile, Flash Malinga who is coach of the SA U18 ‘A’ team, is also looking forward to their opener against Ireland and said his team will be looking to stamp their authority on the match by playing to their strengths, which is the set piece, kicking game and bringing their speedy attackers into the game.

Like Zangqa, Malinga values the continuity in his SA U18 ‘A’ squad: “This week was about finishing off preparation for the opening match and we are fortunate that we only have minimal changes to the side that played in the SA Schools match, so that continuity helped during our preparation.”

Malinga acknowledged the tough opponent but stressed the honour of playing for South Africa against Ireland: “They are a formidable opponent but the exciting thing for our squad is that it’s an absolute honour to represent South African rugby on the international stage and we are looking forward to the tournament and Friday’s occasion.”

In a couple of injury-related changes, Deon Botes (Bulls) and Sbabalwe Magwebu (Border) were called into the SA U18 ‘A’ squad following injuries to Luan van den Berg and Randall-John Davids. Matt van der Merwe was called up to the U18 squad in in Van den Berg’s place.

The SA teams are:

SA U18 ‘A’ team to take on Ireland (kick off at 11h30):
15 Reinhart Viljoen (South Western Districts)
14 Jeneall Davids (Western Province)
13 Nathan Aneke (Sharks)
12 Lizwe Mthethwa (Sharks)
11 Ncutu Kepe (Border)
10 Jeandre Uithaler (captain, Lions)
9 Zirk Meyer (Bulls)
8 Quintin Potgieter (Western Province)
7 Liam Lightly (South Western Districts)
6 Andile Ndlovu (Sharks)
5 Migael Turner (Western Province)
4 Diaan Augustyn (South Western Districts)
3 Bernhard du Toit (Western Province)
2 Keenan Myners (South Western Districts)
1 Jeffrey Singo (Bulls)
Replacements
16 Thomas Muller (Western Province)
17 Pieta Cilliers (Western Province)
18 Deon Botes (Bulls)
19 Juvan Burden (Western Province)
20 Briint Davids (Western Province)
21 Mickyle Booise (Western Province)
22 Ethan van Biljon (Western Province)
23 Sbabalwe Magwebu (Border)
24 Junaide Passensie (Bulls)
25 Erin Nelson (Eastern Province)
26 Lian Terblanche (Sharks)

SA U18 team to take on France (kick off at 15h30):
15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks)
14 Thabiso Simelane (Bulls)
13 Markus Muller (captain, Western Province)
12 Ethan Adams (Free State)
11 Jadriaan Afrikaner (Sharks)
10 Liyema Nela (Sharks)
9 Morne Noble (Western Province)
8 Gert Kemp (Western Province)
7 Josh Neill (Western Province)
6 Chinedu Amadi (Lions)
5 AJ Meyer (Free State)
4 Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks)
3 JG Badernhorst (Free State)
2 Altus Rabie (Western Province)
1 Kai Pratt (South Western Districts)
Replacements
16 Clinton Agu (Lions)
17 Jordan Jooste (Western Province)
18 Matthew van der Merwe (Western Province)
19 Jayden Joubert (Western Province)
20 Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks)
21 Jacobus de Villiers (SWD)
22 Jayden Brits (Western Province)
23 Ruben Groenewald (Bulls)
24 Christian Vorster (South Western Districts)
25 Junaide Stuart (Bulls)
26 Lamla Mgedezi (Free State)