Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
An exciting Round 1 of the SARU u/20 Cup is on the cards today. The u/19 and u/21 SARU competitions were scrapped during the last two seasons with the u/20 Cup their replacement.
The Vodacom Bulls are/were the champions at u/19 and u/21 level the last time these competitions were played and will hope that they can continue their dominance.
Three matches will be played today with the opening shots fired at Loftus Versfeld where the "current reigning champions" will face the Lions.
Vodacom Bulls u/20 vs Lions u/20 (Loftus Versfeld @ 11h00)
Although the Bulls will not admit it they are not the favourites to win this season opener. Most of this "brilliant" team are u/19's with some of their stars like Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Reinhardt Ludwig involved with the Bulls senior team.
The Lions has seven u/20 Springboks in their squad with five of them in the backline. The Lions squad will be serious contenders to win this year's competition.
Vodacom Bulls: 15. FC du Plessis, 14. Bayanda Ngubane, 13. Tharquin Manuel, 12. Carlton Bannies, 11. Franco Knoetze, 10. Jandre Burger, 9. Tiaan Fourie, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Raynard Mouton (C), 6. Chulumanco Mfakadolo, 5. Marco de Witt, 4. Raynard Roets, 3. Sebastian Lombard, 2. Tiaan Lange, 1. Cebo Dlamini. Replacements: 16. Enrico Corties, 17. Tielman Nieuwoudt, 18. Nolan Pienaar, 19. Ruan Delport, 20. Hardus Rothman, 21. Willie Potgieter, 22. Johan Muller, 23. Neil Beukes.
Lions u20: 15. Zeilinga Strydom, 14. Ngia Selengbe, 13. Henco van Wyk, 12. Tyler Bocks, 11. Quan Horn, 10. Jurich Claasens, 9. Nico Steyn, 8. Sisonke Vumasonke, 7. Jarod Cairns, 6. asko Ndlovu (capt.), 5. Connor van Buuren, 4. Ruan Venter, 3. Sibusiso Shongwe, 2. Jacque-Lois du Toit, 1. Okuhle Siyeni. Replacements: 16. Allister Williams, 17. Wandile Hlope, 18. Heiko Pohlmann, 19. Babalo Makana, 20. Justin Kalamer, 21. Setchaba Mokoena, 22. Liyema Matyolweni, 23. Boldwin Hansen
Leopards u/20 vs Toyota Free State u/20 (Olen Park, Potchefstroom @ 12h00)
The Leopards inclusion in this tournament might raise eyebrows, however, the success of the "Pukke Rugby Academy" is well known and expect some "surprises" from this squad.
The Cheetahs u/20 group is definately a "threat" to the favourites with several schoolboy stars in their midst. They should be among the semi-finalists at the end of this competition.
Leopards: 15. I. Phatudi, 14. E. Fredericks, 13. G. Ackerman, 12. T. Pretorius, 11. N. Jaarts, 10. M. Venter, 9. A. Minnie, 8. M. Mashimbye, 7. J. Eloff, 6. J. Cloete, 5. F. Du Plessis, 4. B. Borcher, 3. P Naude, 2. V Paulo (c), 1. D Lebelo. Replacements: 16. C van Zyl, 17. D Matome Melebo, 18. N Francis, 19. C Steenkamp, 20. T van Zyl, 21. S Zungo, 22. C Vlok, 23. K Windvogel.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Jandre Nel, 14. Revano Muller, 13. Lesley Botha, 12. Jooste Nel, 11. Liyema Gaba, 10. Wikus Basson, 9. Hlumelo Klaas, 8. Gideon van Wyk, 7. Lohan Potgieter (c), 6. Niel Venter, 5. Kevin Strydom, 4. Zander du Toit, 3. Zukisa Sali, 2. Marthinus Nel, 1. Kamshen Moss. Replacements: 16. Delmar Degenaar, 17. Warren Louw, 18. Tshepo Nchabeng, 19. Janko Blignaut, 20. Bennett Nortje, 21. Xander Botha, 22. JD Odendaal, 23. Jay-Dee Jooste, 24. Ali Gqaza, 25. Francois Bester, 26. Juan-Dee Olivier.
Eastern Province u/20 vs Cell C Sharks u/20 (Isaac Wolfson Stadium, Gqeberha @ 14:00)
Eastern Province should be the "winner" of the wooden spoon at the end of the season as their problems is well known as all of their teams suffer horrible losses in all the competitions they participate in.
The Cell C Sharks u/20 team must be one of the early favourites on paper with several u/20 Springboks on their side. Their first match of the season should be an easy win.
Eastern Province: 15. D Swartz, 14. A Augustus, 13. C Finnis, 12. T Delport, 11. N Ngobe, 10. M de Ridder, 9. D Edwards, 8. C Cambier, 7. L vd Merwe, 6. T Dyanti, 5. D Halgreen (c), 4. M van der Merwe, 3. M Prince, 2. L Memani, 1. J van Holdt. Replacements: 16. M Pritchard, 17. J Caraher, 18. M Nortje, 19. R Claassen, 20. C Qunta, 21. O Muller, 22. D Pharo, 23. T de Klerk.
Cell C Sharks: 15. L Koster, 14. S Nkomo, 13. M Mkhize, 12. E Fischer, 11. S Zondani, 10. B Wilkie, 9. B Davids, S Ningiza, 7. E Ndiao, 6. J Marais, 5. O Barnards (c), 4. C Rahl, 3. N Mhere, 2. Jaques Goosen, 1. B Reyneke. Replacements: 16. J Mcloughlin, 17. C Gamhiwa, 18. B Golden, 19. W Proudfoot, 20. T Jonker, 21. D O'Connell, 22. C Gertse, 23. Kian Meadon.
DHL Western Province u/20 has a bye today.