American Thretton Palamo had recently turned 19 when he played against the Springboks at the 2007 World Cup, but Lobzhanidze will claim the crown when he runs out for Georgia at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester.
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The reigning world champions should be untroubled in overpowering Argentina, Tonga, Georgia and Namibia which would lift their record in pool play to 28-0.
Georgia head coach Milton Haig has confirmed the rookie is certain to feature at some stage for the Lelos, he is likely to start at Castle Grim, and insists he is there purely on merit.
The scrum-half will be 18 years and 340 days old when he walks out at Kingsholm and says his selection by coach Milton Haig has prompted a butterfly or two.
Lobzhanidze plays his rugby at Armazi Tbilisi, and played in all four matches of this year’s World Rugby Under-20 Trophy, which Georgia won.
“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see that Tonga are in the same position as we are so it’s going to be a critical game”, he said.
“I am a little bit nervous, but we have a team with a lot of experience, so this makes me less nervous for when I get out on the field”, he said. I used to be very young, so I virtually do not keep in mind the last World Cup!
“We’ve steadily made those improvements”, Haig said. “It’s going to be one of those games tomorrow, and hopefully our backs will finish off the game for us”.
Only five players remain in the starting team from Tonga’s last World Cup match, their shock 19-14 win over France in 2011.
Telusa Veainu was named on the wing and Vunga Lilo will play at fullback.
Viliami Ma’afu starts at number eight, while Sione Kalamafoni moves to blindside flanker and Steve Mafi switches to the second-row.
Winger Fetu’u Vainikolo will become Tonga’s outright leading try scorer should he score on Saturday.
That year Georgia did however record their first ever victory at a World Cup, overcoming Namibia 30-0 in Lens.
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Elvis Taione, Tevita Mailau, Sitiveni Mafi, Sonatane Takulua and Telusa Veaninu will make their World Cup debuts.
