Markus Muller will captain South Africa U18 against France U18 at Hoërskool Durbanville in Cape Town on Friday.

The fixture headlines the opening day of the U18 International Series, with the SA U18 A team facing Ireland at 11.30am and England taking on Georgia at 1.30pm. All matches will be streamed live on the SuperSport Schools platform.

SA U18 coach Lwazi Zangqa said the match-day squad builds on the momentum gained from last month’s SA Schools fixture in Middelburg.

“We are honoured to represent South Africa at U18 level, which is a step up to international rugby, and we have another fantastic opportunity to showcase our skills,” said Zangqa.

“Playing together previously has allowed us to iron out issues and grow combinations. We’ve gone predominantly with the SA Schools side that faced the SA A team to maintain continuity.”

Muller and Ethan Adams resume their midfield partnership, albeit in reversed roles, while Josh Neill returns from injury to bolster the loose trio.

Zangqa expects a stern test from France but sees the match as a vital part of preparing players for Junior Boks selection.

“The goal is to get these boys ready for the World Rugby U20 Championship in the next two years,” he said.

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SA U18 A coach Flash Malinga said his side will look to assert themselves against Ireland by playing to their strengths in the set piece, kicking game and counter-attack.

Injury-enforced changes saw Deon Botes and Sbabalwe Magwebu called up to the A squad, while Matt van der Merwe joins the U18 group.

SA U18 A – 15 Reinhart Viljoen (SWD), 14 Jeneall Davids (WP), 13 Nathan Aneke (Sharks), 12 Lizwe Mthethwa (Sharks), 11 Ncutu Kepe (Border), 10 Jeandre Uithaler (c, Lions), 9 Zirk Meyer (Bulls), 8 Quintin Potgieter (WP), 7 Liam Lightly (SWD), 6 Andile Ndlovu (Sharks), 5 Migael Turner (WP), 4 Diaan Augustyn (SWD), 3 Bernhard du Toit (WP), 2 Keenan Myners (SWD), 1 Jeffrey Singo (Bulls).
Bench: 16 Thomas Muller (WP), 17 Pieta Cilliers (WP), 18 Deon Botes (Bulls), 19 Juvan Burden (WP), 20 Briint Davids (WP), 21 Mickyle Booise (WP), 22 Ethan van Biljon (WP), 23 Sbabalwe Magwebu (Border), 24 Junaide Passensie (Bulls), 25 Erin Nelson (EP), 26 Lian Terblanche (Sharks).

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

Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images