DHL WP U21 bolstered for semifinal

Oct 12 • General News • 1274 Views • Comments Off on DHL WP U21 bolstered for semifinal

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DHL Western Province U21 have welcomed back a number of key players for their semifinal clash against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs U21, at City Park, on Friday.

Coach Jerome Paarwater has made seven changes to the team that secured top spot on the standings, with a 34-31 victory against the Leopards U21, at DHL Newlands, in the final league fixture of the campaign.

The defending champions have lost just one match in their campaign this season, which has put them in pole position as they bid to make it through to their fifth consecutive final.

There are just two changes to the backline, with Grant Hermanus taking his place at fullback and Brandon Thomson slotting in at flyhalf after a spell on the sidelines through injury.

In the forward pack Jaco Coetzee comes in at No.8 and he is joined in the loose trio by Jacques Vermeulen and captain Luke Stringer.

David Ribbans returns from representing the DHL Western Province senior Currie Cup side last week, to form a lock partnership with Eduard Zandberg, whilst in the front row there are two new props, as tighthead Frans van Wyk and loosehead Kyle Whyte take up their positions on either side of hooker Percy Mngadi.

Paarwater said that while it is pleasing to have so many quality players return to the team, they cannot afford to take anything for granted against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs U21, in a match that kicks off at 15h00, at City Park, on Friday, with tickets on sale for R20 at the gate and season tickets valid.

“It is great to have these players back in the mix, but it is vital that we maintain our standards in all areas.

“The Toyota Free State Cheetahs U21 are always a dangerous outfit no matter where you play them and we will have to be at our best if we want to qualify for the final,” he said.

DHL Western Province U21: 15 Grant Hermanus, 14 Sibahle Maxwane, 13 Eduan Keyter, 12 Ryan Oosthuizen, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Jacques Vermaulen, 6 Luke Stringer (captain), 5 David Ribbans, 4 Eduard Zandberg, 3 Frans van Wyk, 2 Percy Mngadi, 1 Kyle Whyte.
Replacements: 16 Hanno Snyman, 17 Michael Kumbirai, 18 Nyasha Tarusenga, 19 Christo van der Merwe, 20 Herschel Jantjies, 21 Dennis Cox, 22 Heinrich Buhr.

Date: Friday, October 14
Venue: City Park, Cape Town
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Egon Seconds
Assistant referees: Francois Pretorius, Stephan Geldenhuys
Tickets: R20 at the gate, season tickets valid