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DHL WP U20 shuffle backline

PUBLISHED: March 17, 2023


There are a number of changes in the DHL Western Province U20 backline for the SA Rugby U20 clash with Valke U20 at Wynberg Boys High on Saturday.

There are five changes in the backline and two in the forward pack for the home game, which kicks off at 12h00 on Saturday.

Up front lock Andre Goedhals and flank Dante Burger come into the starting line-up, while scrumhalf Imad Khan and centres Damian Marcus and Ulrich Wahl are the only three backline players who started in the win against Toyota Cheetahs U20 last week.

Wahl shifts from fullback to outside centre, with Diego Cupido forming an all-new back three with wings Joel Leotlala and J’que Huckins. The only other change sees Alex Vermeulen start at flyhalf, with FC Fourie providing halfback cover on the replacements bench.

DHL Western Province U20 Head Coach Norman Jordaan said that his team want to bild on their encouraging away win last week.

“It was great to get the win in Bloemfontein, but now we need to back that up with a strong peformance at home.

“We have good continuity in the forwards and some exciting players coming into the backline, plus a strong bench, so we are excited to see what these combinations can deliver,” he said.

DHL Western Province U20: 15 Diego Cupido, 14 Joel Leotlala, 13 Ulrich Wahl, 12 Damian Marcus, 11 J’que Huckins, 10 Alex Vermeulen, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Eely Peters, 7 Dante Burger, 6 Paul de Villiers (captain), 5 Hennie Sieberhagen, 4 Andre Goedhals, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Luca Bakkes, 1 Matthew Beckett.
Replacements: 16 Tian Vorster, 17 Wilbur Loubser, 18 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 19 Patric Kitete, 20 Corbin Benjamin, 21 FC Fourie, 22 Jared Africa, 23 Thaaqib Ryland.