The Toyota Cheetahs u/20s will travel to Durban knowing that they need a 5-pointer against the Cell C Sharks u/20s on Saturday at 13:00 (SA Time) in order to stay in the hunt for a place in the final of the 2023 SA Rugby u/20 Cup.
The Toyota Cheetahs u/20s are currently 4th on the log with 10 points while the Cell C Sharks are placed second third on 12 log points. The Vodacom Blue Bulls u/20s are second on 15 log points while the Lions u/20s are still top of the log with 17 points. The Lions u/20s have played 5 matches while the Vodacom Bulls u/20 have played 4 matches and the Cheetahs u/20s and Cell C Sharks u/20s have played three matches.
The Cell C Sharks u/20s are looking 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, Cell C Sharks u/20s 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.
The Toyota Cheetahs u/20 Head Coach, Henley Du Plessis, made seven changes to his team.
At the back, two changes were made. Jacquin Jacobus and Chad Oppelt are the new centre pairing.
Up front Juandre le Roux (tighthead), Jaco Bezuidenhout (hooker) and Johan Durr (loosehead) are the new front row while Din van der Walt (7) and HJ de Beer (4) are the other changes.
Teams:
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.
Toyota Cheetahs U20: 15. Shaun Ray Jr, 14. Marcel De Waal, 13. Jacquin Jacobus, 12.Chad Oppelt (c), 11. Liyabona Maplanga, 10. Tiaan Kriek, 9. Murray Ferreira, 8. Danston Cloete, 7. Dian van der Walt, 6. Logan Fortuin, 5. Katlego Lebakeng, 4. HJ de Beer, 3. Juandre le Roux, 2. Jaco Bezuidenhout, 1. Johan Durr. Replacements: 16. Jan Botes, 17. Ayanda Ncokazi, 18. Cassie Botes, 19. Zander van der Berg, 20. Wela Takata, 21. AJ van Vuuren, 22. Raydon Swartbooi, 23. Dillon Oppelt, 24. Liam Prinsloo, 25. Liam de Wet.