The Cell C Sharks Under 21s get their SA Rugby Under 21 Championship campaign going against the Lions Under 21s when the two teams meet on Thursday in Johannesburg.
After enjoying a bye in the opening round that saw the Blue Bulls Under 21s defeating Western Province 36-25, the Cell C Sharks will host a Lions team that went down narrowly and dramatically to Free State 31-30, losing by five tries to three.
The Lions will look to bounce back from their opening loss, but face a formidable Cell C Sharks Under 21 side; head coach Phiwe Nomlomo has assembled a side that boasts plenty of experience.
The likes of captain and hooker Fez Mbatha, eighthman Evan Roos and flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain have all seen action for the senior side in the last year and will no doubt bring a sense of responsibility to their team’s efforts.
Cell C Sharks U21: 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2. Fez Mbatha (C), 3. Francois Klopper, 4. Ockie Barnard, 5. Jeandre Labuschagne, 6. Adam Mountford, 7. Lunga Ncube, 8. Evan Roos, 9. Lucky Dlepu, 10. Boeta Chamberlain, 11. Asanda Kunene, 12. Le Roux Malan, 13. D.J Falconer, 14. Caleb Dingaan, 15. Jean Roux. Replacements: 16. Cullen van der Merwe, 17. Thabiso Mdletshe, 18. Hanru Jacobs, 19. Deon Slabbert, 20. Vian Fourie, 21. Daimon O’Connell, 22. Rynhardt Jonker, 23. Quan Eymann.