Whiffin Names Side for Junior Springboks Clash
Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin has announced his starting XV for Tuesday's pivotal Pool A encounter against defending champions South Africa at the World Rugby Junior World Championship. After consecutive pool stage wins for the first time in 13 years, Wales are vying for a top four spot, but must overcome the unbeaten Junior Springboks.
Whiffin retained Tom Bowen and captain Deian Gwynne for their third straight game, while making changes to the bench for added forward cover. Reflecting on the 47-0 victory over Uruguay, Whiffin said: "It was a pretty special performance. We challenged the boys to be accurate and to keep a team to zero is very pleasing."
"We know South Africa are big and physical, and want a collision-dominant game. We have to front up, but if we execute our best game we are a match for anyone," he added.
Furbank's Summer Ends After Emergency Surgery
England full-back George Furbank has been ruled out of the remaining summer internationals after being hospitalised with appendicitis. The 29-year-old was taken to hospital on Friday evening, hours before he was due to start against South Africa at Ellis Park in his first Test appearance in nearly two years.
England head coach Steve Borthwick confirmed: "He went into hospital with abdominal pain, had surgery on Saturday morning on his appendix, and is still recovering. He will miss the next couple of weeks." Furbank will miss clashes with Fiji and Argentina, staying in South Africa before returning to England later.
Furbank, who has battled a broken arm, calf and knee issues, and concussion since his last England start in November 2024, said the day before his surgery: "It was pretty tough. Playing again felt a long way off at times."
Wainwright Savours Cardiff City Stadium Win
Wales back-row Aaron Wainwright enjoyed a 39-24 victory over Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium, a venue where he never played as a Cardiff academy footballer before being released at 16. The win was Wales' third straight, following Six Nations success over Italy and a Barbarians fixture.
Wainwright said: "I never got to play here. We had training sessions as kids, but the coaches dropped me. It was a great occasion with lots of noise." Wales scored six tries in a Test for the first time since November 2021.
Wales now travel to Argentina for their second Nations Championship fixture. Wainwright, who made his Test debut there in 2018, recalled: "It was a very hostile crowd with fencing. The guys who haven't been before can look forward to that."
