The Vodacom Bulls will resume their SA Rugby under-19 Cup campaign in Potchefstroom. The Vodacom Bulls u/19s will take on the Leopards u/19s in round 4 of the cup competition at Olën Park at 13h00.
The Vodacom Bulls u/19s are currently fourth on the SA Rugby u/19 Cup log with nine points while the Leopards u/19s are placed sixth with five points.
Vodacom Bulls u/19s head coach, Edgar Marutlulle has made four changes from the side that beat the Cheetahs in round two.
In the forwards' pack, Juan Smal starts ahead of Juanre Breitenbach, who has recently recovered from a minor shoulder problem. Michail Damon comes into the matchday 23 with Sesethu Mphaka missing out due to illness.
Speaking about the changes, Marutlulle said: “We don’t want to rush Juanre back into contact, so we are managing his return because he has a long career ahead of him. Sesethu also misses out due to illness but it’s a great opportunity for Michail because he has trained so hard to get back to match fitness after his injury. We all know of the tremendous talent he has and are just excited to see him get some minutes under his belt,”
“We are also going to see Nokutenda get a run, another exciting player within our stable. He has been growing from strength to strength and this will be a wonderful opportunity for him.”
Speaking about the opponents awaiting them in the North West, Marutlulle said: “We know the Leopards will come to throw the kitchen sink at us because points out of this encounter mean staying alive in the competition for both sides,”
“We certainly know what is at stake, the team has trained well, preparing hard for this because they still believe in our ultimate goal.”
Vodacom Bulls u/19: 1. Mbasa Maqubela, 2. Juan Smal, 3. Casper Badenhorst, 4. Ben Heydenrych, 5. Keanu Coetsee, 6. Lukas Meyer (c), 7. Lilitha Matsiliza, 8. Liselihle Maphekula, 9. Steven Nel, 10. Jayden Bantom, 11. Michail Damon, 12. Philip-Albert van Niekerk (vc), 13. Andile Myeni, 14. Alfondso Isaacs, 15. JL Van Rensburg. Replacements: 16. Juanre Breitenbach, 17. Jean Fourie, 18. Kaleb Kriek, 19. Nokutenda Mapungwana, 20. Abel Pretorius, 21. One Fani, 22. Kobus Janse van Rensburg, 23. Duncan Blignaut.
Leopards u/19: 1. M. Bokoli, 2. H. Venter, 3. P. Van der Westhuizen, 4. J. Van Zyl, 5. H. Van der Merwe, 6. O. Morgenrood, 7. H. Janse van Rensburg, 8. J. Baard, 9. Z. Serfontein, 10. R. Noble, 11. A. Daniels, 12. P. Coetzer, 13. S. Cloete, 14. J. Arends, 15. K. Coerecius. Replacements: 16. K. Kruger, 17. B. Katake, 18. M. Lamont, 19. J. Geldenhuys, 20. L. Bock, 21. H. Steenkamp, 22. R. Nutt, 23. J. Ruiters.
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