The move to the middle of the scrum has been in the pipeline for a couple of months and Steenkamp did play in the hooker position during the Varsity Cup competition.

Steenkamp will replace Jaco Visagie (to senior team), resulting in a change to the loose trio combination.

Nardus van der Walt will be the new no8, with Roelof Smit coming in for injured Shaun Adendorff at six, leaving Clyde Davids as the only loosie who played against Western Province last weekend. Smit’s place on the bench will be taken by Leneve Damens.

The match will also see the return of winger Travis Ismaiel, who is now fully fit after an injury sustained while playing for the Blue Bulls Currie Cup side. Ismaiel replaces Jade Stighling.

Kobus Marais will also start at number 10 in place of Tony Jantjies, who is on senior duty again. Lood de Jager (inside back) could make his debut off the bench.

The team to play Border at 16h30 is: Jacques Rossouw, Damian van Wyk, Dries Swanepoel, Christopher Bosch, Travis Ismaiel, Kobus Marais, Rudi van Rooyen, Nardus van der Walt, Clyde Davids,  Roelof Smit, Irne Herbst, Jannes Kirsten, Hencus van Wyk, Ruan Steenkamp (c), Justin Forwood. Replacements: Jan Enslin, Du Toit Genis, Dennis Visser , Leneve Damens, Carlo Engelbrecht, Lood de Jager, Wandi Sompontsha.

Steenkamp skuif van agt na twee

Die skuif van gereelde agtsteman en kaptein, Ruan Steenkamp, na haker vir Vrydag se Absa Onder-21 Provinsiale Kampioenskap-wedstryd teen die Grens was die vernaamste aspek van die Vodacom Blou Bulle Onder-21 span-aankondiging Woensdag in Pretoria.

Die skuif na haker is al geruime tyd in die pyplyn vir die losvoorspeler en Steenkamp het in die Varsitybeker in die middel van die skrum gesak. Hy vervang Jaco Visagie, wat diens doen by die Curriebekerspan.

Die lostrio moes noodgewonge aanpas. Nardus van der Walt is die nuwe no8, terwyl Roelof Smit vir die beseerde Shaun Adendorff instaan, wat beteken dat slegs Clyde Davids oorbly van die trio wat verlede naweek teen die WP gespeel het.

Agterlangs is Travis Ismaiel weer op sy pos as vleuel. Hy het ‘n draai by die senior span gemaak en is toe beseer, maar is weer fiks. Hy speel in Jade Stighling se plek.

Kobus Marais speel weer losskakel in Tony Jantjies se plek. Jantjies speel vir die senior span.

Lood de Jager sal sy debuut maak as hy speelkans kry.

Die span wat om 16h30 teen Grens speel: Jacques Rossouw, Damian van Wyk, Dries Swanepoel, Christopher Bosch, Travis Ismaiel, Kobus Marais, Rudi van Rooyen, Nardus van der Walt, Clyde Davids,  Roelof Smit, Irne Herbst, Jannes Kirsten, Hencus van Wyk, Ruan Steenkamp (c), Justin Forwood. Plaasvervangers: Jan Enslin, Du Toit Genis, Dennis Visser , Leneve Damens, Carlo Engelbrecht, Lood de Jager, Wandi Sompontsha.