Vodacom Bulls u/20 Can Not Afford To Slip Against Toyota Free State u/20 Today

 

The Vodacom Bulls u/20s will host the Toyota Cheetahs u/20s today in Pretoria @ 11h30 as a precursor to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship match between the Vodacom Bulls and Ulster Rugby. 

The Vodacom Bulls u/20 can not afford to lose as only one round is left to play next week before the final scheduled for 16 April 2022 is to be played.

The Sharks overtook the Bulls after their emphatic win against Eastern Province, dropping to the third position. The Cheetahs is known to struggle up front, which is one of the strengths of the Bulls. Four points for a win may be good enough to proceed to the finals, however, a bonus point could mean the difference between a home semi-final or not.

The Vodacom Bulls u/20 side has made several changes to their team.

The Tshwane-based side will be looking to continue their run of good form and results which has seen them win three of their four matches so far this season to claim the second spot on the log, behind log leaders, DHL Western Province U20, who have played one more game than the Vodacom Bulls U20 side.

The Toyota Free State U20 team will be out to bounce back from their recent defeat to the Cell C Sharks U20’s in their last outing and will be eager to add to their single victory in the four matches they have played so far.

The Vodacom Bulls u/20 team, which will be led by Sonwabo Sokoyi as captain, will see Regan Izaks and Rowan Cloete being added to the starting backline, while in the forwards pack new personnel who earn starting berths will include Cameron Hanekom, Willie Potgieter, Neels Volschenk, Ruan Delport, Sivuyise Mabece, Johan Lombard and Juann Else.

“This is yet another important game for the Vodacom Bulls u/20 team, on the back of four other challenging matches we have played so far,” Vodacom Bulls u/20 head coach, Wessel du Plessis, said ahead of the game.

“Our aim is to do as best as we can in this competition and to go as far as possible. That will mean that we continue working hard behind the scenes at training, and the boys have been responding well so far.

“We will need to be on top of our game again this weekend when we face a hungry Toyota Free State u/20 side that can never be underestimated. We know how dangerous they can be as a team and the talent that they have. We expect a tough but exciting match when we meet them on Saturday.”

Toyota Free State u/20 head coach Henley du Plessis named his team for the encounter with minimum changes. 

At the back, Chad Oppelt replaces Emile Kotze at inside centre in the only change to the team that started against the Cell C Sharks u/20s. Kotze moves to the bench.

Up front Stean Nortje comes in at the side of the scrum while Aviwe Mpepo replaces Jan Hendrik Bessenger at loosehead with Bessinger moving to the bench. 

Teams:

Vodacom Bulls u/20: 15. Regan Izaks, 14. Katlego Letebele, 13. Gert Steyn, 12. Sonwabo Sokoyi (c), 11. Moemagare Motlhodi, 10. Carlton Banies, 9. Rowan Cloete; 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Willie Potgieter, 6. Neels Volschenk, 5. Marco de Witt, 4. Ruan Delport, 3. Sivuyise Mabece, 2. Johan Lombard, 1. Juann Else. Replacements: 16. Reuben van der Nest, 175. Corne Lavagna, 18. Johan Louw, 19. Gcinokuhle Mdletshe, 20. Abulele Ndabambi, 21. Tiaan Fourie, 22. Keanan Wentzel, 23. Larry Nkonki.

Toyota Free State u/20: 15. Dwayne Pharo, 14. Jacquin Jacobus, 13. Carl Pieter Kleynhans, 12. Chad Oppelt, 11. Levandrè Horne, 10. Juan Smith, 9. Juan Dee Olivier, 8. Danston Cloete, 7. Gerhardus Le Rouz, 6. Stean Nortje, 5. Aidan Oosthuizen, 4. Kian Kirsten, 3. Laurence Victor, 2. Ronaldo Ismail, 1. Aviwe Mpepo. Replacements: 16. Duan Ludik, 17. Jan Hendrik Bessenger, 18. Duncan Edwards, 19. Kevin Strydom, 20. Ulrich Bekker, 21. Murray Ferreira, 22. Michael Annies, 23. Emile Kotze.