RSA-U19 vs SCO-U19 20th Match Prediction

RSA-U19 vs SCO-U19 Team Previews

South Africa U19

South Africa will go into this match after beating West Indies and losing to England. As the tournament hosts, South Africa are under some pressure to advance to the next stage of the competition. Victory over Scotland would all but secure this, while defeat would come as an upset.

Dewan Marais and Steve Stolk are South Africa's leading run-scorers at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup. Marais has 107 in two innings to Stolk's 69 in two. Both are bound to be key in this fixture at the top of the order and through the middle. Stolk was going to play for the Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 before being called up by SA Under-19.

Kwena Maphaka is South Africa's top wicket-taker this tournament. The fast bowler has taken five so far. All five came against West Indies before he went without a breakthrough against England. Maphaka, like Stolk, was due to play in the SA20 before national duty called. He is a hot talent, indeed.

South Africa have lost seamer Martin Khumalo for the rest of the tournament. He has been sidelined by a hamstring injury. Khumalo has been replaced in the squad by Raaeq Daniels. It will be interesting to see if all-rounder Daniels is named in the XI against Scotland.

Scotland U19

Scotland will head into this match in the wake of defeats to Scotland and West Indies. They have all but failed to qualify for the rest of the tournament. But the Scots could claim some consolation by beating South Africa Under-19. It'd be a huge achievement for the small cricketing nation.

Jamie Dunk and Owen Gould have been Scotland Under-19's standout performers with the bat recently. Dunk hit 40 against England and 57 against West Indies. He can build on that momentum and perhaps convert to a bigger score at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

Ibrahim Faisal has been Scotland's most prolific bowler at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup. While he has only taken three wickets in South Africa, he could become a particular challenge with the older ball again. Scotland's bowlers will know the threat posed by the opposition's middle order.

Scotland were always going to find it tough to compete at this tournament, in a group lined with title favourites England, South Africa and West Indies. They were not able to upset England or West Indies, but the opportunity to close their campaign by surprising SA remains.