The next generation of talent will get an opportunity to show what they can do as DHL Western Province XV take on the Toyota Cheetahs in the Toyota Challenge in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Three DHL Western Province U20 players have been named in the starting line-up, with a further four on an extended replacements bench for the encounter with the hosts of the inaugural Toyota Challenge, which kicks off at 17h30 on Saturday.
Seabelo Senatla will make his return from injury in a back three which also features Tristan Leyds and Leolin Zas.
Junior Springbok flyhalf Sacha Mngomezulu will have centres Rikus Pretorius and Cornel Smit outside him, with the experienced Godlen Masimla as his halfback partner.
The loose trio will feature the hard-working pair of Marcel Theunissen and captain Nama Xaba, along with the versatile JJ Kotze who gets a run on the flank.
U20 locks Dylan de Leeuw and Connor Evans will pack down behind a front row of Sazi Sandi, Andre-Hugo Venter and Leon Lyons.
Forwards Coach Rito Hlungwani is expecting to see plenty of energy from the young pack.
"These players are all hungry to make an impression, so we should see a big effort from them for the full 80 minutes, which is something we will need against the home side in Bloemfontein," he said.
Backline Coach Dawie Snyman said that this is a great opportunity to integrate some promising young talent into the senior ranks.
"We have got some really exciting players in this team along with a few more experienced guys, so we are looking forward to seeing how they feed off one another in Bloemfontein," he said.
DHL Western Province XV: 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Mngomezulu, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Nama Xaba (captain), 6 JJ Kotze, 5 Dylan de Leeuw, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Leon Lyons. Replacements (from): 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Romauld Ntumba, 21 Simon Miller, 22 Thomas Bursey, 23 Paschal Ekeji, 24 Mambo Mkhize, 25 Litha Nkula.
