Excitement within DHL WP Under-19 ranks

Jul 10 • General News • 3238 Views • Comments Off on Excitement within DHL WP Under-19 ranks

There is plenty excitement within the DHL Western Province Under-19 ranks ahead of Saturday afternoon’s Absa Provincial U19 season-opener against Free State at City Park (kick-off 13h30).

Whilst 2013 was a season to forget for the always-ambitious Province Under-19s, the title winners in 2012, coach Nazeem Adams is confident they can turns things around this year.

Adams told wprugby.com: “Last season we started against Free State (away) with a draw, in a game we could’ve and should’ve won, and the season ended up becoming quite a long one for us. It’s crucial that we start well this year – starting with Saturday!

“The guys are excited and have butterflies in their stomach which is a great sign for us ahead of a tough campaign.”

No.8 Rikus Bothma will captain the DHL WP Under-19s this year, having skippered the WP Craven Week and SA Schools teams with distinction in 2013.

“I’m really happy the squad that we have at our disposal this year,” enthused Adams.

“We have some big guys up front, but I’m also very excited about our backline. We have a lot of pace and power in our backs division, but yet quality players like Ryan Oosthuizen and Heinrich Buhr have to be content with places on the bench and, of course, a guy like EW Viljoen, although injured at present, has been with the Under-21s up until now.

“Ernst Stapelberg is a quality flyhalf, but there is still (another flyhalf talent in) Brandon Thomson – who is currently injured – so I am happy with our depth across the board, which, as we know, will always be tested in what is a long and tough Provincial Under-19 competition.”

With the Western Province Rugby Institute once again providing the core of the players in the DHL WP U19 team, there is also excitement surrounding replacement props Mihlali Mtongana and Lebohang Mdakane – both of whom hail from the new WP Rugby Academy in Tokai.

“Both Mihlali and Lebo are very talented players and worked their way into the team via the new Academy set-up,” said Adams.

“There’s a couple of other WPRA players who were close to making the team this week, but, like I told them, they will get an opportunity during the season.”

* Ground entry is FREE on Saturday. City Park is based on the corner of Thornton and Lawson Roads in Crawford and easily accessible from the M5 and N2 freeways.

The DHL WP Under-19 team for Saturday (v Free State) is as follows:

15. Adriaan Carelse
14. Dewald Naude
13. Jarryd Sage
12. Daniel du Plessis
11. Leolin Zass
10. Ernst Stapelberg
9. Justin Phillips
8. Rikus Bothma (captain)
7. Luke Stringer
6. Charlton Jonas
5. Johan Momsen
4. Ruan du Preez
3. Frans van Wyk
2. Daniel du Plessis
1. Kyle Whyte

Replacements:
16. Paul-Martin Wipplinger
17. Mihlali Mtongana
18. Lebohang Mdakane
19. Floris Pelser
20. Michael de Waal
21. Brendon Nell
22. Ryan Oosthuizen
23. Heinrich Buhr

Referee: Eduan Nel