The Cell C Sharks u/20 will host the Leopards u/20 today in Durban @ 14h00. Both teams need a win to secure the 4th spot on the SARU u/20 Championship log. A win will also secure a place in the semi-finals of this competition next weekend.
The Leopards u/20 could have secured a place in the semi-finals in Round 6 against the Lions u/20. Unfortunately, the Lions came back in the second half and scraped home with 34-32.
The Sharks u/20 team was outplayed (21-48) by a rampant DHL Western Province u/20 in Round 6.
If you are a betting man you could be tempted to support the Leopards u/20 although they have to travel to Durban.
The Sharks u/20 made 4 changes to their starting lineup that lost against DHL Western Province u/20.
All the changes were made upfront with the exciting Renzo du Plessis that was included at #8, the most significant. Jaques Marais replace Chyle Cloete at the side of the scrum. Blain Golden, #3 and Henko Smuts, #1 were promoted from the bench and replaced Munashe Mhere and Charles Gamhiwa who dropped to the bench.
The Leopards u/20 kept the changes to the minimum. Sanele Zungu replaces Abre Minnie at scrumhalf in the only change at the back. Chyle v Zyl replaces Jakobus Cloete on the side of the scrum in the only change upfront.
Cell C Sharks u/20: 15. Matthew Jacobs, 14. Curwin Gertse, 13. E Fisher, 12. Brandon Wilkie, 11. Siviwe Zondani, 10. Kian Meadon, 9. Bradley Davids, 8. Renzo du Plessis, 7. Enos Ndiao, 6. Jaques Marais, 5. Ockie Barnard, 4. C Rahl, 3. Blaine Golden, 2. Jacques Goosen, 1. Henko Smuts. Replacements: 16. Jordan Mcloughlin, 17. Charles Gamhiza, 18. Munashe Mhere, 19. Andrew Beyrooti, 20. Tiaan Jonker, 21. Daimon O’Connell, 22. Warrick Day, 23. Liqhayiya Gantsho, 24. Dagan Meuwese, 25. Lathi Nqebe.
Leopards u/20: 15. Elzandro Fredericks, 14. Keano Windvogel, 13. Gerhard Ackerman, 12. Theuns Pretorius, 11. Naiden Jaarts, 10. Martin Venter, 9. Sanele Zungu, 8. Jakobus Cloete, 7. Jakkie Eloff, 6. Chyle v Zyl, 5. Franco Du Plessis, 4. Tian van Zyl, 3. Petrus Naude, 2. Vernon Paulo, 1. Dux Manyama. Replacements: 16. Connor Brown, 17. Neil Francis, 18. Hendri vd Westhuizen, 19. Casper Steenkamp, 20. Marquin Uren, 21. Marvelous Mashimbye, 22. Christiaan Vlok, 23. Luan vd Walt.