DHL Western Province U19 named to take on the FS Cheetahs
DHL Western Province U19 in action against Toyota Free State Cheetahs U19. Photo by Morgan Piek /Rugby15.
DHL Western Province Under-19 coach Nazeem Adams has announced his team to take on the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at Florida Park on Saturday (kick-off 12h30).
The Under-19s suffered just their second loss of the 2012 season last weekend – going down 25-27 to the Sharks in Durban – and coach Adams admitted: “It was disappointing as we went there with the purpose of winning.”
It was the DHL WP U19s’ second last-minute defeat of the year and Adams added: “The last time (we lost), against the Leopards (in August), I thought we threw it away a bit. This time, conditions made it tough out there and it was a real ding-dong affair in the second half with the lead changing hands a few times.
“The one positive is that we fought back from 3-14 down at half-time, and later 3-17 down, to lead 25-20 going into the final five minutes. Sadly, we lost, but we had a very good video session on Monday, talking about this game and the Leopards one. The players have learnt a lot through this defeat and, of course, we’d rather lose now – and learn a lesson in the process – than lose in a crucial play-off game.”
Adams has been forced into a few backline changes this week, with players moving up or returning from the Under-21 side, whilst he has made just one switch up front with Sti Sithole returning at loosehead prop and Niel Oelofse dropping back to the bench.
“(Wing) JP Lewis is back from the Under-21 team, as is (centre) Johnny Kotze. However, (fullback) Cheslin Kolbe has moved up to the Under-21s, which means that Janco Gunther has moved to fullback – where he has played this season – and Johnny will then slot in at No.12,” said the DHL WP Under-19 coach.
“We’ve had to deal with a few changes in the second half of the season, especially in our backline, but this weekend is an important match for us and we are up for it!”
WP are in second place on the Provincial Under-19 log, just behind the Blue Bulls on points’ difference, with both teams having already secured home semifinals through eight wins and just two losses each.
The next two weeks, however, will decide whether WP will host the Sharks, the Golden Lions or the Leopards in the semifinals on the weekend of October 19-21.
Adams concluded: “Next weekend we play the Eagles in George (in our final league match) and then it’s semifinal time, so we dearly want to carry some momentum with us (into the semifinals).”
The DHL Western Province Under-19 team to take on the FS Cheetahs is as follows:
15. Janco Gunther
14. Lwazi Sithole
13. Justin Geduld
12. John-Ben Kotze
11. JP Lewis (vice-captain)
10. Tommy Allan
9. Jean Nel
8. Justin Benn
7. Jurie van Vuuren
6. Eital Bredenkamp
5. Andrew Becker
4. Tiaan Benade
3. Nicol Heyns
2. Freddie Kirsten (captain)
1. Sti Sithole
RESERVES:
16. Brianton Booysen
17. Niel Oelofse
18. Deacon Chowles
19. Sebastian Ferreira
20. Nicholai Lubbe
21. Bjorn Bernardo
22. Niel Bester
23. Werner Kok
Referee: Archie Sehlako
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