The unbeaten Sigma Lions u/20 travel to Potchefstroom to play the Leopards u/20 @ 13h00 today. The host lost their first match in the 2021 SARU u/20 Championship last weekend against the Vodacom Bulls u/20.
The Sigma Lions are currently 2nd on the SARU u/20 Championship log, just 1 point behind the log leaders, the Vodacom Bulls. A win in Potchefstroom will secure a place in the semi-finals. The Leopards needs a win desperately if they want to keep their title hopes alive, they are currently 6 log points behind the Vodacom Bulls. Both the Lions and Leopards have played one game less than the Vodacom Bulls.
The Sigma Lions u/20 drew with DHL Western Province u/20 (24-24) last weekend after leading their visitors 17-07 at the halftime break.
The Leopards travelled to Loftus Versveld last weekend and were outscored (17-39) but not outplayed by their hosts in a brilliant display of rugby.
Hosts, the Leopards u/20 made only two changes and one positional change to their starting lineup that lost to the Bulls. E Fredericks moves to fullback to make way for Keano Windvogel at the wing. Upfront Tian van Zyl replaces Brandon Borcher at lock, in the only change.
The Sigma Lions also kept the changes to their starting lineup to a minimum. Only one change was made to the backline where Tyler Bocks replaces captain Henco van Wyk at the inside centre. Bocks also take over the captaincy. Upfront Jarrod Cairns moves back to the side of the scrum while Connor van Buuren returns to the lock position in the second change to the starting line-up.
Leopards: 15. E Fredericks, 14. Keano Windvogel, 13. Gerhard Ackerman, 12. Theuns Pretorius, 11. N Jaarts, 10. Martin Venter, 9. A Minnie, 8. Marvelous Mashimbye, 7. Jakkie Eloff, 6. Jakobus Cloete, 5. Franco Du Plessis, 4. T van Zyl, 3. Petrus Naude, 2. V Paulo, 1. D Manyama. Replacements: 16. C van Zyl, 17. N Francis, 18. H vd Westhuizen, 19. Casper Steenkamp, 20. S Zungu, 21. C Brown, 22. Christiaan Vlok, 23. Luan vd Walt, 24. G Morris, 25. G Nchocho, 26. J vd Walt.
Sigma Lions u20: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Indiphile Tyeda, 13. Ngia Selengbe, 12. Tyler Bocks (c), 11. Zeilinga Strydom, 10. Jurich Claasens, 9. Nico Steyn, 8. Sisonke Vumasonke, 7. Izan Esterhuizen, 6. Jarrod Cairns, 5. Connor van Buuren, 4. Babalo Makana, 3. Sibusisi Shongwe, 2. Jacque-Lois du Toit, 1. Heiko Pohlmann. Replacements: 16. R Fourie, 17. O Siyeni, 18. Kabous Bezuidenhout, 19. J Kalamer, 20. J van Vreden, 21. S Mokoena, 22. L Matylweni, 23. B Hansen, 24. S Benge, 25. P Mulea, 26. A Williams.