DHL WP U19s change one as Leopards come to town

Jul 17 • General News • 2110 Views • Comments Off on DHL WP U19s change one as Leopards come to town

DHL Western Province Under-19 coach Nazeem Adams has made just one enforced change to his team for Saturday’s Absa Provincial Under-19 clash against the Leopards at City Park (kick-off 13h30).

The only change is at scrumhalf, with Justin Phillips (ankle) dropping out. Brendon Nell, a try-scorer last week, will start at No.9 and Damian Stevens comes on to the bench.

Adams told www.wprugby.com: “Justin has a slight niggle but it will keep him out for three weeks. Brendon made a big impact last week and it’s also an exciting opportunity for Damian who will be on the bench.”

The DHL WP Under-19s kicked-off their 2014 campaign with an emphatic 50-26 win over Free State last week – also at City Park – and coach Adams is hoping to build on their strong start.

“We created a lot of opportunities and although we scored just five tries, we also kicked five penalties which helped us keep the scoreboard ticking over but also shows that we were within striking distance on a few more occasions,” said Adams.

“Our structures, which we have been working hard at, were good but we were unhappy with our defensive performance and we know we need to improve there.

“Last year those defensive lapses cost us at crucial stages in big matches and I told the players as much after the game. It’s always good to be able to win a match and still not be 100% happy, so the guys know where they need to improve and how to address those lapses.”

Looking ahead to the challenge of facing the Leopards – who beat Province at home last year – the WP Under-19 boss is expecting an all-round battle.

Adams said: “They’ve always been a team with a tough and consistent set-piece, but they ran the ball last year and are not scared to attack.

“They beat us at City Park last season and although we managed to win the return match in Potchefstroom the Leopards beat us into the semifinals, so we’re aware that we need to be sharp and disciplined against them – on attack and defence.”

* The entry free on Saturday will be R10 for adults and R5 for children. 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 Leopards) is as follows:

15. Adriaan Carelse
14. Dewald Naude
13. Jarryd Sage
12. Daniel du Plessis
11. Leolin Zas
10. Ernst Stapelberg
9. Brendon Nell
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. Damian Stevens
22. Ryan Oosthuizen
23. Heinrich Buhr

Referee: Gerrie de Bruin