The Cell C Sharks u/20s are in round five action of the SA Rugby u/20 Cup on Saturday when they host their Toyota Free State u/20s at Hollywoodbets Kings Park at 13:00 (SA Time) as they look to keep their unbeaten record intact.
Their top-of-the-table clash with the Lions u/s last weekend heralded a 33-all draw, with the Cell C Sharks u/20s outscoring their Johannesburg rivals five tries to four. That draw came off the back of victories over DHL Western Province and the Vodacom Blue Bulls.
Both of last week’s sides remain unbeaten, with the Lions top of the log having played an extra game. The Cell C Sharks u/20s, in the second spot on the log with 12 out of a maximum 15 points, will be chasing a third victory in the tournament when they come up against a Free State side that currently sits in third position on the log with two wins and a loss in their three games to date.
After naming the exact same side for the last two games, head coach JP Pietersen has made a number of changes to the side for this match.
Robert Everson replacing Dian Heunis in the front row is the first of four changes to the pack, with Thomas Dyer coming in for Coetzee Le Roux in the second row.
Kevin Tshituka and Alethwa Buthelezi are taking over from Meno Barnard and Jannes Potgieter respectively among the back-row changes.
There are a further three changes to the backline, Christian Els replacing Michael Koch at scrumhalf, Sphamandla Ngcobo is in for Themba Sibisi on the wing and Hakeem Kunene the fullback replacement for PJ Venter.
Cell C Sharks u/20: 15. Hakeem Kunene, 14. Spha Ngcobo, 13. Ryan Manuel, 12. Ethan Hooker (c), 11. Banie Britz, 10. Jean Smith, 9. Christian Els, 8. Alethwa Buthelezi, 7. Kevin Tshituka, 6. Khuma Nkutha, 5. Luca Ribbens, 4. Thomas Dyer, 3. Robert Everson, 2. Bryce Calvert, 1. Phathu Ganyane. Replacements: 16. Marnus Winter, 17. Dylan Willis, 18. Din Heunis, 19. Dylan Moore Boyle, 20. Torbyn Visser, 21. Ian de Fouw, 22. Stehan Heymans, 23. Jurenzo Julius.
