The Lions are second on the log after five matches, with the DHL WP Under-19s boasting just one win – and one draw – from five starts thus far.

WP went down 19-25 to the Sharks U19s last weekend, their third loss of the season, but coach Nazeem Adams told wprugby: “Yet again, it was a tight match which we lost through a couple of defensive errors.

“I’ve had a chat with (WP Rugby defence analyst) Jacques Nienaber and it’s a process that we will get right. However, what’s pleasing is that the guys are still positive and there’s a huge will within this team to bounce back.

“We’ve lost two matches this season by seven points or less, so we’re not far off,” added Adams, “I really feel we can turn things around.”

Adams will be without two of his most impressive starting loose forwards this week, No.8 Steven Meiring and No.6 Gareth de Bruin, but the WP U19 coach has more than enough faith in their replacements.

He said: “Josh Moon will start at No.8 in place of Steven. I thought Josh was outstanding last week when he came on and I’m excited to see him in a starting role.

“Johan de Villiers will start in Gareth’s place at No.6. Johan was part of our team at the start of the year, so at least he knows the systems and will be able to slot straight back in (for us).”

Meanwhile, Adams has made two unforced changes in his backline – Pieter Schoonraad in for SP Ferreira at scrumhalf and Michael Haznar in for Jason Morris at inside centre – as the Men from the Cape look ahead to their tough challenge away from home.

“The Lions are an impressive team,” said Adams. “They just lost to the unbeaten Bulls in Pretoria and beat the Sharks in Durban.

“But, as I have said before, we are more worried about our own performance and limiting errors in our game.

“Hopefully being away from the cold and wet Cape weather will free us up a bit come Saturday, but I know there won’t be shortage of guts and passion from my players.”

The DHL Western Province Under-19 team to take on the Lions is as follows:

15. Jason Worrall
14. Tiaan Mouton
13. Michael Mvelase
12. Michael Haznar
11. Dalen Goliath
10. Chris Smith
9. Pieter Schoonraad
8. Josh Moon
7. Luke van der Smit
6. Johan de Villiers
5. Jan Uys (captain)
4. Sebastian Ferreira
3. Michael van Tonder
2. Chad Solomon
1. Liam Hendricks

Replacements:
16. Ramone Samuels
17. Nathan Gogela
18. Wesley Adonis
19. Sebastian Negri
20. Ruan Rossouw
21. SP Ferreira
22. Jonty Bredell
23. Jason Morris

Referee: Lihan Pretorius