Kiwi try-machine Li is major threat to Baby Boks
“I AM Tevita Li. I play Super Rugby for the Blues, scoring three tries. I now play for the Baby Blacks, but don’t call me junior.”
That is how Li, 19, who will still be eligible to play for the Kiwi under-20 side next year, introduces himself in a video on the IRB website.
When the Baby Boks take on New Zealand in the semifinals of the IRB Junior World Championship at the QBE Stadium in Auckland today they will be well aware of the danger posed by the Baby Blacks winger. A week ago Li starred for the Baby Blacks, scoring three tries, although SA won the match 33-24. The 1.82m, 94kg speedster will be a handful once again if not watched closely.
With four tries to his name so far, Li is the second-highest try-scorer at the tournament
Any rugby encounter between SA and New Zealand is epic.
The Baby Boks have had a dream run so far at the under-20 world cup, beating Scotland, the Baby Blacks and Samoa en route to the semis.
Captain Handre Pollard has been their star and coach Dawie Theron will need the flyhalf to put in his best performance today as the South African side strive to reach their second final since the competition started in 2008.
Pollard knows the stakes are high.
“We are excited by the prospect of playing New Zealand at home again. It will be a daunting task, but the guys are looking forward to play because this is a vital match and a must-win situation,” he said.
“Our team has a real desire to play in the final and we realise that if we want to achieve that then we must be clinical and take our opportunities.
“We all know that New Zealand is a side that can punish you severely for making mistakes.”
Kick-off is at 9.35am. The first semifinal, between England and Ireland, starts at 7.05am. Both matches can be seen live on SS1.