DHL Western Province U21 team to take on the Border Bulldogs
Photo by Morgan Piek /Rugby15
John Dobson, the DHL Western Province Under-21 coach, has announced his team to take on the Border Bulldogs at Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Friday (kick-off 17h00).
Dobson has benefited from the return of DHL WP’s seven Castle Rugby Championship Springboks, with four senior Absa Currie Cup players, lock Wilhelm van der Sluys and backs Damian de Allende, JP du Plessis and Pat Howard, all reporting for Under-21 duty this week.
All four players will start on Friday night; Van der Sluys in the No.5 jersey, De Allende and Du Plessis combining at centre and Howard slotting in on the left-wing.
“It’s a massive boost to get these players from the seniors and am grateful to Allister for releasing them,” said Dobson.
“Two things that have really impressed me has been their positive attitude upon returning to us – they are all quality individuals and Allister and I have stressed to them that their attitude (upon their return) would be important as to when they play senior rugby again. But with Pat, JP, Damian and Wilhelm that is not something we have to worry about.
“At the same time, I have also reminded them that when they did play for us in the first three games of the season we still got a mauling (at home) from the Bulls, so it’s not going to be easy. But the other thing that has impressed me is how much they have learnt and improved from their Currie Cup experiences.”
Dobson added: “Naturally, it has also lifted the vibe in the team as they are all mates. But I have to express my admiration to the players that have got us into the play-offs.
“At one stage, against the Sharks (away), there were only two 20-year-olds in the backline, the rest were 19… and, in all, we’ve had to use 45 players over the campaign so far this season. But, in the process, we have built some nice depth for WP and it’s just great at a critical time that all three teams, in effect, have been boosted by the returning Boks.”
The Border Bulldogs remain a tricky proposition especially at home, with the DHL WP Under-21 side having won by 31-17 at the end of August (at City Park in Athlone) the last time these sides locked horns.
“Border is not a do or die game for us but it’s vital to reintegrating these players – especially Wilhelm from a line-out perspective – but, most importantly, we need to get the team bedded down and in the right space for the semifinals. We are focusing on discipline and process.
“We also have taken the chance to give some over played players like Francois van Wyk, Rayn Smid, Neil Rautenbach, Tim Swiel and Gerbrandt Grobler the chance to address some niggles before the semifinals. Slak (Van Wyk) has played every minute and the rest close to.
“We have one or two spots open for the semi, so this is a chance for some players to get their gap,” concluded the WP Under-21 boss.
The DHL Western Province Under-21 team to take on the Border Bulldogs is as follows:
15. Cheslin Kolbe
14. Clearance Khumalo
13. JP du Plessis
12. Damian de Allende
11. Pat Howard
10. Dillyn Leyds
9. Rick Schroeder (captain)
8. JP Swanepoel
7. Lungelo Chonco
6. Senna Esterhuizen
5. Wilhelm van der Sluys
4. Jan de Klerk
3. Oliver Kebble
2. Stephan Coetzee
1. Kelvin de Bruyn
RESERVES:
16. Jody Reyneke
17. Francois van Wyk
18. Gerbrandt Grobler
19. Rayn Smid
20. Godlen Masimla
21. Tim Swiel
22. Kobus van Wyk
Referee: Archie Sehlako
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