Coach Esterhuizen Makes Seven Changes to Starting XV After Belgium Loss
Coach Christiaan Esterhuizen has made seven changes to the starting XV after the loss to Belgium. Promoted from the bench are Josh Du Toit at hooker, Ronin Smith at lock, Jonty Nicholas as starting #10. Returning to the roster from the Namibia match are Carter Nickless at lock, Eliot Marschall at openside flanker, Rogan Moir at scrum-half, Malin Hazl on the wing. Moving to the bench are Porter Gook as reserve hooker and Seb Poyser as reserve second row. Leaving the matchday 23 are Noah Poyser (#5), JJ Kinnear (#7), Chris Rose (#9), Joe Kaufmann (#10), and Noah Hudson (#11).
The kickoff is 9am PT on Monday and will be streamed on rugbypass.tv. The result will determine if Canada competes for 3rd place or 5th place in their final match.
CANADA U20 vs PORTUGAL – OCTOBER 12, 2026
1 Jacob Blackwood
2 Josh Du Toit
3 Alistair Yeomans
4 Ronin Smith
5 Carter Nickless
6 Coen Quinn
7 Eliot Marschall
8 Liam Kinghorn
9 Rogan Moir
10 Jonty Nicholas
11 Malin Hazl
12 Adam Stander
13 (C) Liam Turnbull
14 Briar Barron
15 Cooper Allen
16 Porter Gook
17 Eric Rutledge
18 Seb Poyser
19 Ethan Samuels
20 Cole Thompson
21 Brek Ball
22 Koen Schroeder
23 Luke Prest