Vodacom Bulls u/20 Should Start Their 2022 Campaign On A Winning Start

 

The Vodacom Bulls Under-20 side will get their 2022 SA Rugby Under-20 Cup campaign off to a start when they take on the Leopards Under-20 side at Loftus B-field on Friday at 11h00.

The Bulls won their match against the Leopards in 2021 with 39-17, however, the Leopards are always a dangerous team and well prepared as the Leopards u/20 team and NWU Eagles Young Guns is basically one team, with their preparation for both competitions making them a dangerous opponent.

The Bulls should be the winners and are one of the favourites to qualify for the final of the SARU u/20 Cup on 16 April 2022.

The Vodacom Bulls unfortunately is missing several stars who are either injured or involved in the franchise's Currie Cup and United Rugby championship squads. However, several warmup games were played in the past few weeks which include wins against the TUKS & Wits Varsity Cup teams.

The talented group of Vodacom Bulls U20s will be led by captain, Eric Basson, and Sonwabo Sokoyi as vice-captain.

Furthermore, the side will also rely on the experience of loose-forward Cameron Hanekom, Tielman Nieuwoudt, Ruan Delport and Carlton Bannies who are some of the team members who featured for the side in the 2021 edition of the junior competition.

Vodacom Bulls U20 head coach, Wessel Du Plessis, said: “We have been happy with the behind-the-scenes work these boys have put in over the past weeks, and we now look forward to all of that coming together as we begin our season.

“We are expecting a tough encounter against a Leopards U20 team that always comes to Loftus fired up and well-prepared. We expect physicality, expansive and clever rugby to be played on the day. We will need to be at our best if we want to start our campaign on a high note.”

Teams:

Vodacom Bulls u/20: 15. Franco Knoetze, 14. Katlego Letebele, 13. Sonwabo Sokoyi, 12. Carlton Bannies, 11. Quewin Nortje, 10. Compion von Ludwig, 9. Tiaan Fourie, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Eric Basson (c), 6. Gcinokuhle Mdletshe, 5. Ruan Delport, 4. Merwe Olivier, 3. Tielman Nieuwoudt, 2. Tiaan Lange, 1. Juann Else. Replacements: 16. Johan Lombaard, 17. Nazier Nizaar, 18. Johan Louw, 19. Ghudian van Rheenan, 20. Abulele Ndabambi, 21. Rowan Cloete, 22. Moemagare Mohlodi, 23. Munashe Dukuswa, 24. Rynard Mouton, 25. Willie Potgieter, 26. Gert Steyn.

Leopards: 15. Luan van der Walt, 14. Sean Roulston, 13. Christiaan Vlok, 12. Riego Heath, 11. Simuthembile Ntleki, 10. Christiaan Gates, 9. Marquin Uren, 8.Tsimolle Mogale, 7. Jakkie Eloff,6. Hennie du Rand,5. Casper Steenkamp, 4. Tian van Zyl, 3. Stefan Liebenberg, 2. Brandon Beukes, 1. Daniel Theron. Replacements: 16. A Apollis, 17. M Diop, 18. P de Villiers, 19. V Adshade, 20. D Oosthuizen, 21. M Uren, 22. C Gates, 23. N Liversage.