Nazeem Adams’s DHL Western Province Under-19 team has it all to play for on Saturday when they host the Sharks Under-19s at DHL Newlands on Saturday at 12h45.

A bonus point victory will secure the DHL WP U19s a home semifinal regardless of what happens between the Lions and Free State Under-19s in Johannesburg a bit earlier in the day.

If Free State lose to the Lions (kick-off 11h00), then DHL WP will have a home play-off no matter what. However, if Free State beat the Lions then WP need a win to book a home play-off spot. And, if the Free Staters manage a bonus point win, then Province will need to win and score four tries against the Sharks.

“Unlike last year, going into the final weekend of league action we have our own destiny firmly within our own grasp,” Adams told www.wprugby.com.

“We won’t be sitting around watching the Lions-Free State match, we want to win on Saturday regardless… we know what we need to do this weekend.”

The DHL WP Under-19s trail the first-placed Blue Bulls U19s by five log points going into the final weekend, with both teams having won eight games and lost three thus far.

Said Adams: “It shows how tough the Absa Provincial Under-19 competition has been this season – no team has truly dominated for the entire season.

“We began the season well and then the Bulls took over, but, like us, they’ve also lost three times.

“Last weekend was not our best performance, but I don’t think the scoreline (losing 7-38 to Free State) was a true reflection of the match. We lost No.8 Dian Koen before kick-off and in the game we lost our star lock David Ribbans early on and then (yet another) hooker (this season) in Regardt Louw.

“Free State scored some breakaway tries, against the run of play, and we weren’t able to bounce back, but we’ve worked hard on our mental resolve this week and we want to win and secure that home semifinal.”

Louw and Koen will miss the remainder of the season but Ribbans will hopefully be back for the semifinals – possibly along with squad captain Rikus Bothma, who has been sorely missed for the past few months.

“I’m not one for making excuses,” said Adams, “but injuries have played havoc with our forward pack, which has made it tough for us to get continuity and we all know how important consistent set-piece possession is.

“That said, the guys are determined to set the record straight and to get into a home semifinal.

“There is also a potential lure of a home final – should our senior team win through to the final it would, of course, then be played at DHL Newlands. We all know that anything can happen in a semifinal or a final – especially at home – and we intend on making sure that our presence is felt!”

The DHL WP Under-19 team for Saturday (v Sharks, home) is as follows:

15. Khanyo Ngcukana
14. Grant Hermanus
13. Heinrich Buhr
12. Ryan Oosthuizen
11. Leolin Zas
10. Ernst Stapelberg
9. Justin Phillips
8. Graham Geldenhuys
7. Luke Stringer
6. Christo van der Merwe
5. Ruan du Preez
4. Johan Momsen
3. Frans van Wyk (captain)
2. Hanno Snyman
1. Kyle Whyte

Replacements:
16. Aphiwe Qaba
17. Francois van der Merwe
18. Lebohang Mdakane
19. Dylan Harlen
20. Saud Abrahams
21. Damian Stevens
22. Brandon Thomson
23. Jarryd Sage

Referee: Jaco Pretorius