Zas tops list of DHL WP U19 injury returnees
There was good and bad news on the injury-front for DHL Western Province Under-19 coach Nazeem Adams, ahead of his team’s clash against the Golden Lions Under-19s on Saturday (kick-off 12h45).
Left-wing Leolin Zas, scrumhalf Justin Phillips and tighthead prop Francois van der Merwe are all back to full fitness and will start against the Lions, but star inside centre Dan du Plessis (shoulder) and skipper Rikus Bothma (stomach) are both out for some time.
Du Plessis could be out for the remainder of the season, but coach Adams is hopeful that his captain and star No.8, Bothma, will feature again in 2014. At this stage, Bothma could return for the play-off phase of the season.
“Losing quality players like Rikus and Dan is a big blow for us,” admitted Adams to www.wprugby.com, “but, at centre, we’re fortunate to call upon Ryan (Oosthuizen) and Jarryd (Sage) who have played together for a few weeks now.
“It seems to be a case of one in and one out at present (when it comes to injuries), but it shows, once again, the importance of depth within one’s squad.”
Lock Johan Momsen will skipper the WP Under-19s in the absence of Bothma, whilst the bench has been bolstered by the inclusion of tighthead prop Frans van Wyk – who has not played since picking up a knee injury in late July.
“Both (props) Francois and Frans and Phillips and Zas are looking hungry and have added loads at training this week,” enthused Adams.
“Zas scored four tries in about two and a half games, and has not played since, so his return will make a difference and with him back we’re trying out Grant Hermanus at fullback, with Khanyo Ngcukana able to cover both wing and fullback from the bench.”
The WP U19s currently occupy second position on the log after seven games (they have a match in hand over the first-placed Blue Bulls), and they will be looking to bounce back from their previous fixture – a disappointing 29-44 defeat to the Bulls (their only loss of 2014 thus far).
“We’ve already forgotten that game,” said Adams.
“We beat the Bulls at home and then they beat us away. The scoreline wasn’t great, and our defence let us down on the day, but that was a strong Bulls side, the best they have, whereas we were missing a few players due to injury.
“Right now we’re focused on winning against the Lions. They’re a funny old team… they lost at home to the Kings, yet ran us close at DHL Newlands and ran the Bulls close too this past weekend.
“They will punish any mistakes so we need to be sharp and clinical.”
The DHL WP Under-19 team for Saturday (v Lions, away) is as follows:
15. Grant Hermanus
14. Dewald Naude
13. Jarryd Sage
12. Ryan Oosthuizen
11. Leolin Zas
10. Ernst Stapelberg
9. Justin Phillips
8. Dian Koen
7. Luke Stringer
6. Charlton Jonas
5. Johan Momsen (captain)
4. David Ribbans
3. Francois van der Merwe
2. Paul-Martin Wipplinger
1. Kyle Whyte
Replacements:
16. Regardt Louw
17. Frans van Wyk
18. Lebohang Mdakane
19. Floris Pelser
20. Michael de Waal
21. Damian Stevens
22. Brandon Thomson
23. Khanyo Ngcukana
Referee: Lusanda Jam
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