Hooker Luca Bakkes will captain DHL Western Province U21 in their opening match of the SA Rugby U21 Cup against Hollywoodbets Sharks U21 at City Park on Saturday.

DHL Western Province will be looking to make it three straight national titles this season and will want to make a strong start to their campaign in the coastal clash, which kicks off at 12h30 on Saturday in Athlone.

There are 10 DHL Western Province players in the Junior Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship U20 being currently held in Gqeberha, who will become eligible for Head coach Johnno van der Walt’s team once that tournament concludes later this month.

Hookers Bakkes and Armand Combrinck, prop Matthew Beckett, lock Patrick Kitete, loose forward Max du Pisani, scrumhalf Cameron Whitson and outside backs Grant de Jager and Joel Leotlela all featured last season and have been included in the matchday squad on Saturday.

Van der Walt said that while there are a number of players missing on national duty, the players selected are all keen to make a big impression.

“It has been a good pre-season for us with a number of players impressing in the Varsity Cup and we couldn’t be prouder of the 10 who are with the Junior Boks.

“We know that it will take a big effort to start this campaign with a win, but we are on home turf at City Park and looking forward to the challenge,” he said.

DHL Western Province U21: 15 Eldridge Jack, 14 Joel Leotlela, 13 Grant de Jager, 12 Luke Carew, 11 Dylan Miller, 10 Ruan van Willing, 9 Monray Daars, 8 Max du Pisani, 7 CJ Gordon, 6 Fortune Mpofu, 5 Patrick Kitete, 4 Danio Botha, 3 Ryno Loots, 2 Luca Bakkes (captain), 1 Matthew Beckett.
Replacements: 16 Armand Combrinck, 17 Unaye Mndau, 18 Danie Kruger/Henry du Plessis, 19 Zuko Poswa, 20 Aden de Costa, 21 Reuben Kruger, 22 Cameron Whitson, 23 Samuel Badenhorst.