The Vodacom Bulls u/20 will host the unbeaten Leopards u/20 today at Loftus with the hope to secure the 2nd spot on the SARU u/20 Championship log. Only 1 log point separates the Bulls and Leopards on the log, however, the Bulls have played one more match than the Leopards.
The Vodacom Bulls Under-20 side has made several changes to the team that lost 11-17 against DHL Western Province a fortnight ago in Cape Town.
Vodacom Bulls U20 head coach, Wessel du Plessis, said: “It’s great to be back in action again. We have used the past two weeks to work hard on areas we felt needed improvement while also enhancing the ones we have done well so far.
“The Leopards U20 will be a tough opponent. They have shown what they are capable of in their previous matches. We will have to be on top of our game if we are to bounce back to winning ways.”
Two changes were made at the back where Niel Beukes moves from inside centre to fullback while Carlton Banies regains his spot at the inside centre.
Captain Rynard Mouton moves to #7 partnering with incoming Chulumanco Mfakadolo at the side of the scrum. Tiaan de Klerk replaces Ruan Delport at lock while Enrique Coutriers are the new hooker, replacing Keagan Potgieter.
The unbeaten Leopards u/20 squad sees several changes made to the team that demolished Eastern Province u20 with 91-06 in Round 4.
The back three of the Leopards reverts back to the team that drew with DHL Western Province. I Phatudi #15, E Fredericks #14 and N Jaarts #11 will test the Bulls defence out wide. In the last change at the back, A Minnie returns to scrumhalf replacing Sanele Zungo who drops to the bench.
In the only change upfront, hooker V Paulo replaces Chyle van Zyl at hooker.
Vodacom Bulls U20: 15. Niel Beukes, 14. Tharquin Manuel, 13. Canan Moodie, 12. Carlton Banies, 11. Bayanda Ngubane, 10. FC du Plessis, 9. Tiaan Fourie, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Rynard Mouton (c), 6. Chulumanco Mfakadolo, 5. Tiaan de Klerk, 4. Raynard Roets, 3. Sebastian Lombard, 2. Enrique Coutriers, 1. Cebo Dhlamini. Replacements: 16. Keagan Potgieter, 17. Tielman Nieuwoudt, 18. Gerhard van der Merwe, 19. Ruan Delport, 20. Willie Potgieter, 21. Rowan Cloete, 22. Sonwabo Sokoyi, 23. Geraldo Flusk, 24. Eric Basson, 25. Ntokozo Hlope, 26. Jandre Burger.
5) Leopards: 15. I Phatudi, 14. E Fredericks, 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. Brandon Borcher, 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. Tian v Zyl, 22. Christiaan Vlok, 23. K Windvogel, 24. Luan vd Walt, 25. J vd Walt, 26. Goodwin Nchocho.