The Cell C Sharks u/20 need a bonus-point win against the Leopards u/20 in Potchefstroom to stand a chance to qualify for the SARU u/20 Cup.
The Cell C Sharks u/20s are four log points behind the Vodacom Bulls u/20 and will be praying for a miracle in Gqerberha to give them the slimmest of hopes to qualify for the final.
The Cell C Sharks u/20s will come up against a much-changed Leopards u/20 side that does not know the meaning of giving up.
The Leopards u/20 has named their side with nine changes, as well as two positional changes, made to the starting lineup.
At the back, C Gates (10) and Marquin Uren (9) remain while C Schlechter moves from the outside centre to the inside centre.
Up front, hooker Brandon Beukes and loosehead prop survive while V Ashade is moved from lock to the side of the scrum.
“The Leopards are a totally different prospect to EP,” admits head coach of the Cell C Sharks u/20s Mike Vowles.
“Traveling to Potch is never easy, the Leopards are quite a force to be reckoned with when they play at home, they seem to up their game there, so we’re expecting a huge physical challenge.
“I think they will really look to get stuck into us, they’re a team that backs their line-out maul when they scrum for penalties and it will certainly be a tougher challenge [than last week] but we’re obviously taking a lot of confidence out of our performances and we will stick to our plan and try play our style of rugby rather than adapting to what they bring.
“The bottom line is that we have to front up to the physicality and intensity they are going to bring and instil our game on them. We have to start well in order to lay a platform and then build on that, and build on the confidence and accuracy that we’ve shown in the last few weeks.”
With four u/20s featuring for the Cell C Sharks in their Carling Currie Cup triumph over Griquas, it’s been a balancing act for the coaches but they have every faith in their squad.
“It’s a challenging week with a couple of guys up with the Currie Cup side, but our larger squad is strong and we back the players on the fringes so they get an opportunity this week, which is great.”
Leopards u/20: 15. P Alexander, 14. F Sibanda, 13. C Vlok, 12.C Schlechter, 11. S Ntleki, 10. C Gates, 9. Marquin Uren, 8. D Oosthuizen, 7. V Adshade, 6. Q van Zyl, 5. C Steenkamp, 4. T van Zyl, 3. S van Graan, 2. Brandon Beukes, 1. Daniel Theron. Replacements: 16. A Appollis, 17. M Diop, 18. B Arendse, 19. S Krugel, 20.T Mogale, 21. R Sauls, 22. L Smit, 23. C van Vuuren.
Cell C Sharks u/20s: 15. H Kunene, 14. Beanie Britz, 13. Brandon Wilkie, 12. Ethan Hooker, 11. Siviwe Zondani, 10. Jean Smith, 9. Bradley Davids, 8. Nick Hatton, 7. Enos Ndiao, 6. Damon Royle, 5. Corne Rahl (c), 4. Andrew Beyrooti, 3. Nash Mhere, 2. Marnus Winter,1. Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16. Jacques Marais, 17. Braam Reyneke, 18. Dian Heunis, 19. Coetzee Le Roux, 20. Luca Ribbens, 21. Josh Miller, 22. Ryan Manuel, 23. Matthew Jacobs.