DHL Western Province u/20 travel to Bloemfontein today looking to secure a home semifinal next weekend in the 2021 SARU u/20 Championship.
The host had a bye in Round 6 and would like to end the season on a high. They are currently second last on the championship log and a win will not better their current position.
It is predicted that the Lions u/20 will beat a hapless Eastern Province u/20 today, therefore the visitors will have to beat Cheetahs u/20 with a bonus point or win with at least 35 points to overtake the Vodacom Bulls to secure a home semifinal.
Seven changes were made to the Cheetahs u/20 starting lineup. Liyema Gaba returns to the outside centre with the brilliant Leasly Botha moving to the inside centre. Jay-Dee Jooste come in at the wing in the final change that was made in the back.
Upfront the Cheetahs u/20 have a brand new front row with Zukisa Sali, #3, Marnus Nel, #2, and Bernard Venter, #2 the favoured combination. Gideon van Wyk replaces Francois Bester at #8, Bester moves to the bench.
The DHL Western Province u/20 starting line-up shows three changes at the back where Ruben Labuschagne replaces Meyr Retief at the inside centre. Sacha Mngomezulu and Bobby Alexander are back as the halfback pair.
Keagan Blanckenberg replaces Lukhanyo Vokozela at hooker in the only change up front.
Toyota Free State u/20: 15. Jooste Nel, 14. Revano Muller, 13. Liyema Gaba, 12. Lesley Botha, 11. Jay-Dee Jooste, 10. W Basson, 9. Hlumelo Klaas, 8. Gideon van Wyk, 7. Lohan Potgieter (c), 6. Liyema Mgwigwi, 5. Zander du Toit, 4. Reinier Viljoen 3. Zukisa Sali 2. Marnus Nel, 1. Bernard Venter. Replacements: 16. Thapelo Moshodi, 17. F Nchabeng, 18. Dumisani Malindi, 19. Kevin Strydom, 20. Francois Bester, 21. Divan Roelofse, 22. Chad Josias, 23. B Holtzhausen, 24. Leyton Valentine, 25. Johannes Odendal, 26. Llewellyn Stadler.
DHL Western Province U20: 15 Jacque Rossouw, 14 Rethabile Louw, 13 Ethan James, 12 Ruben Labuschagne, 11 Pascal Ekeji, 10 Sacha Mngomezulu, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Jarrod Taylor, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Romuald Ntumba, 5 Dylan De Leeuw (captain), 4 Connor Evans, 3 Corne Weilbach, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Rhynardt Rijnsburger. Replacements (from): 16 Christian Lamprecht, 17 L Nunu, 18 Bryan le Roux, 19 Marco van Rhyn, 20 Louw Nel, 21 Conwill Conradie, 22 Duran Koevort, 23 Meyr Retief, 24 Tiaan Pretorius, 25 Ebenezer Tshimanga, 26 Isaiah Warton.