The Cell C Sharks u/20 will host Toyota Free State u/20 today @13h00 in Durban today in the first match of Round 5 of the SARU u/21 Championship.
The Sharks had a bye in Round 4 and lost 2 of their 3 games this far. Their only win was against Eastern Province (47-23) in Round 1. The Sharks coaching staff made several changes to the team that lost 15-27 to the Lions u/20 in Round 3.
Most of the changes were made in the backline. Katlegi Thinyane will start his first match as fullback replacing Lloyd Koster who moves to outside centre. Kian Meadon makes his first start at flyhalf replacing Brandon Wilkie who movies to inside centre. Upfront Andrew Beyrooti will make his first appearance for the Sharks at lock, while Charles Gamhiwa is promoted from the bench at loosehead.
Toyota Free State u/20 1 of their 4 matches, losing 19-46 to the Lions in Round 4.
The visitors also made several changes to their starting lineup. The return of their star back, Lesley Botha at the outside centre will add some extra strike at the back. J Nel comes in at fullback, while Wikus Basson returns at flyhalf after missing out on two games to form a new halfback pairing with Hlumelo Klaas.
Francois Bester and newcomer L Mgwigwi form are the two new flankers with Ruan Nortje being promoted from the bench.
Cell C Sharks U/20: 15. Katlegi Thinyane, 14. Curwin Gertse, 13. Lloyd Koster, 12. Brandon Wilkie, 11. Siviwe Zondani, 10. Kian Meadon, 9. Bradley Davids, 8. Siya Ningiza, 7. Enios Ndiao, 6. Damon Royle, 5. Ockie Barnard (c), 4. Andrew Beyrooti, 3. Munashe Mhere, 2. Jaques Goosen, 1. Charles Gamhiwa. Replacements: 16. D Meuwese, 17. Henko Smuts, 18. B Golden, 19. Tiaan Jonker, 20. Jaques Marais, 21. Daimon O'Connell, 22. M Mkhize, 23. Simelela Nkomo, 24 Odwa Moletsane, 25. W Dai, 26. D van Huizen.
Toyota Free State u/20: 15. J Nel, 14. R Muller, 13. Lesley Botha, 12. Jooste Nel, 11. Liyema Gaba, 10. W Basson, 9. Hlumelo Klaas, 8. Francois Bester, 7. Lohan Potgieter (c), 6. L Mgwigwi, 5. Zander du Toit, 4. Reinier Viljoen 3. Ali Gqaza 2. Ruan Nortje, 1. Warren Louw. Replacements: 16. M Nel, 17. B Venter, 18. Z Sale, 19. Kevin Strydom, 20. Gideon van Wyk , 21. Divan Roelofse, 22. C Josias, 23. J Oliver, 24. E Kotza, 25. Stefan Nortje, 26. Avumile Bongco.