The SA Rugby Under 19 Cup resumes this weekend after a tournament break with the Cell C Sharks Under 19s taking on their Free State counterparts in Bloemfontein on Friday afternoon at 13h00.
The first three rounds produced solid victories for the Durban side and a 100% success rate, coupled with bonus point victories over the Leopards, Valke and Western Province, have elevated them to the top of the competition log.
Free State started the tournament like a house on fire with a 75-29 victory over the Valke, but back-to-back losses, to the Blue Bulls and Leopards, have consigned them to fourth place on the six-team log.
Regardless of their opponents’ results, Coach Mike Vowles admits that his team have a huge amount of respect for Free State, saying: “Traveling to Bloemfontein to take on Free State is always a tough exercise and one that we certainly don’t take lightly.
“We’re just looking to build on the success of the last three games, the team is in a really good space and considering the make-up of our team, contracted players, club players, Varsity Shield, it’s a dynamic and diverse group.
“We were obviously concerned with how we were going to gel coming into the competition but having got those three wins under the belt, in particular a win in Cape Town, that’s galvanised the group and pulled us together.
“The players are confident going into this game, after a few days off, the players responded in training and we’re all looking forward to this match. Although we are confident, we would never take any Free State side lightly and we need to bring our ‘A’ game.”
A win this weekend would secure a home semi, but it goes beyond results. “We really want to put in a good performance that brings a win and home semi which would hopefully give us the best opportunity of a home final.”
Teams:
Toyota Cheetahs u/19s: 15 Shimi Mohlibele, 14 Marcel De Waal, 13 Janco Scheepers, 12 James Jonker, 11 JP Van Heerden, 10 Bradley Giddy, 9 Raydon Swartbooi, 8 Maynard Kleynhans, 7 Liam Shamburg, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Katlego Lebakeng, 4 Sandile Nzuza, 3 Ben Pitout, 2 Nick Greyling, 1 Liyema Ntshanga. Replacements: 16 Jan Botes, 17 Adriaan van Niekerk, 18 Loyola Mtwa, 19 AJ Burger, 20 Edward Thembani, 21 Wynand Van Rensburg, 22 Paul Van Rensburg.
Cell C Sharks u/19s: 15 Hendrik Pienaar, 14 Ntobeko Mhlongo, 13 Spha Ngcobo, 12 Drico Marx, 11 Risima Sambo, 10 Stehan Heymans, 9 Dallyn Beukes, 8 Hugo-Ben Horn, 7 Connor Carson, 6 Andrew Davies, 5 Sphephelo Mbonambi, 4 Garren Muller, 3 Nicholas Snyman, 2 Ethan Bester, 1 Bradley Stanfliet. Replacements: 16 Faasen Laubscher, 17 Siyabonga Dube, 18 Sinelifa Ncwana, 19 Trent Roux, 20 Darren Ruth, 21 JP Beyer, 22 Aldo Zoet, 23 Minenhle Ngcamu.