DHL WP U19s unchanged for final

Oct 23 • General News • 2503 Views • Comments Off on DHL WP U19s unchanged for final

Photo: Werner Nysschen Photography

Coach Nazeem Adams will field an unchanged DHL Western Province Under-19 line-up for Saturday’s Absa Provincial Under-19 Final against the Blue Bulls at DHL Newlands (kick-off 12h15).

The DHL WP U19s have rallied back strongly during the latter stages of the Absa Provincial Under-19 competition to put themselves in contention to once again lift the trophy in this age-group – having also triumphed in the final in Durban in 2012.

After finishing third in the league phase this season, with nine wins from 12 starts, the team recorded a brilliant 29-22 semifinal win away from home last weekend and coach Adams was a proud man after their victory in Bloemfontein.

The DHL WP U19 boss told wprugby.com: “We had that belief last week to do the job away from home and it was nice to see the excitement amongst the players after the win.

“I told them to enjoy the moment, but by Monday they were refocused and looking ahead to this weekend. We know it’s a big game, but we’re ready for it and looking forward to it.

“The Bulls are a good team, we’ve beaten them once this year and lost to them on another occasion. Physically there is little to choose between our teams, it’s all about being calm, disciplined and focused in a game of this magnitude.”

The DHL WP U19s beat the Bulls at home in Cape Town in mid-August, before the Bulls juniors turned the table on Province in Pretoria later that month.

Adams, as one would expect, is happy to be at home for this weekend’s final.

“It’s a nice feeling to be playing a big final like this at DHL Newlands,” he said.

“All three DHL Western Province teams will be involved in finals on Saturday. Not only would it be a massive honour to open the day on a high for our union, but it’s also a big inspiration for us to set the tone for WP.”

* Season ticket holders had until Wednesday, October 22 (at 12h00) to purchase their regular seats for the final, with those remaining tickets and other allocated tickets released for sale back to the general public – from 09h00 this (Thursday) morning.

As of Thursday morning at 11h00, 4,000 seating tickets were still available for sale, along with 1,000 standing tickets for the final. Tickets can be purchased online at http://wprugby.ticketpros.co.za, from selected PostNet outlets and the DHL Newlands box office in Boundary Road, Newlands (09h00 to 16h00).

The DHL WP Under-19 team for Saturday’s final (v Blue Bulls, home) is as follows:

15. Khanyo Ngcukana
14. Grant Hermanus
13. Heinrich Buhr
12. Ryan Oosthuizen
11. Leolin Zas
10. Ernst Stapelberg
9. Justin Phillips
8. Rikus Bothma (captain)
7. Luke Stringer
6. Christo van der Merwe
5. David Ribbans
4. Johan Momsen
3. Francois van der Merwe
2. Paul-Martin Wipplinger
1. Frans van Wyk

Replacements:
16. Hanno Snyman
17. Lebohang Mdakane
18. Kyle Whyte
19. Ruan du Preez
20. Graham Geldenhuys
21. Brendon Nell
22. Jarryd Sage
23. Adriaan Carelse

Referee: Rodney Boneparte
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, Ben Crouse
Television Match Official: Deon van Blommestein