The Vodacom Bulls u/20 will host an unknown Cell C Sharks u/20 this afternoon @ 13h30 in Pretoria. The Cell C Sharks is "unknown" as at the time of writing this article the team of the Sharks u/20 was still not available to the media.
The Sharks u/20 had a bye in Round 2 of the SARU u/20 Cup and lost to the DHL Western Province u/20 (17-20) two weeks ago.
The Vodacom Bulls have already played two games, beating the Leopards u/20 (74-28) and lost to the DHL Western Province u/20s (29-30) a week ago in Cape Town. In both games the Bulls u/20s were brilliant in the first half, unfortunately, they lost the plot in both games. DHL Western Province down to 14 men and trailing 29-16 heading into the last five minutes scored two tries to secure a dramatic win.
Both the Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks are early "favourites" to secure a place in the semi-final, however, the side that loses today will find it almost impossible to qualify for the final as the 2022 SARU u/20 Cup is played over a single round with the two top teams qualifying for the final.
A handful of changes have been made to the Vodacom Bulls u/20 side that will take on their Cell C Sharks counterparts in an SA Rugby Under-20 Cup match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Vodacom Bulls u20 head coach, Wessel du Plessis, has made five changes to the starting XV for this weekend, two in the backline and three in the forwards' pack.
The side will run onto the field with a new-look half-back pairing as scrumhalf, Neil le Roux, and flyhalf, Tiaan Fourie, earn starting berths. Corne Lavagna will start at loosehead prop while lock, Marco de Witt and flanker Willie Potgieter have also been added to the starting XV.
“We have another tough match this weekend against a talented Cell C Sharks side,” Du Plessis said ahead of the game.
“After the disappointment of the narrow defeat last week, we have worked hard on improving certain areas this week. We hope that all of the hard work we’ve put in will come together on Saturday. We will need to be at our best because we know that the Cell C Sharks will, as they always do, throw everything at us.”
Teams:
The Vodacom Bulls u/20: 15. Franco Knoetze, 14. Quewin Nortje, 13. Sonwabo Sokoyi, 12. Carlton Banies, 11. Katlego Letebele, 10. Tiaan Fourie, 9. Neil le Roux; 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7. Eric Basson (c), 6. Willie Potgieter, 5. Marco de Witt, 4. Merwe Olivier, 3. Sebastian Lombaard, 2. Tiaan Lange, 1. Corne Lavagna. Replacements: 16. Johan Lombard, 17. Juann Else, 18. Tielman Nieuwoudt, 19. Neels Volschenk, 20. Abulele Ndabambi, 21. Rowan Cloete, 22. Moemagare Mothlodi, 23. Gert Steyn.
Cell C Sharks u/20 vs DHL Western Province u/20: 1. Braam Reyneke, 2. Bryce Calvert, 3. Nash Mhere, 4. Andrew Beyrooti, 5. Corne Rahl, 6. Damon Royle, 7. Renzo du Plessis, 8. Siya Ningiza, 9. Bradley Davids, 10. Jean Smith, 11. Siviwe Zondani, 12. Brandon Wilkie, 13. Lloyd Koster, 14. Curwin Gertse, 15. Matthew Jacobs. Replacements: 16. Jaques Marais, 17. Phatu Ganyane, 18. Zocchi Zocchi-Dommann, 19. Enos Ndiao, 20. Nick Hatton, 21. Josh Miller, 22. Connor de Bruyn, 23. Hakeem Kunene, 24. Jordan Mcloughlin, 25. Luca Ribbens, 26. Banie Britz.