DHL Western Province Under-19 team to take on the Cheetahs

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DHL Western Province Under-19 team to take on the Cheetahs

PUBLISHED: August 16, 2012

Nazeem Adams, the DHL Western Province Under-19 coach, has announced his team to take on the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday afternoon (kick-off 15h00).

Adams has made just four changes to his team – from the line-up that beat the Sharks 16-6 at a rain-soaked DHL Newlands last weekend – as the DHL WP U19s look for their second away win in 2012.

All the changes – bar one – are up front, with luckless No 8 Andreas Dercksen ruled out for some time with a shoulder injury – having made his return to action just last week. (The only change to the backline sees Jean Nel and Andre Warner rotate at scrumhalf once again.)

Thus far, Adams’s side has managed two home wins (from two games) and another win on the road – in their season-opener against the Lions last month – with their only defeat of 2012 coming against the Leopards in Potchefstroom (on August 4).

“We’ve got a great ethos in this group,” enthused Adams. “We might not have what people deem a bunch of superstars, but the guys play for each other.

“As a coach, I couldn’t ask for more. It’s great working with these players and it makes those tough conditions like last week and tricky away games like this week that much easier to prepare for.”

Conditions were certainly not ideal in Cape Town last Saturday, but Adams – speaking to www.wprugby.com before Thursday’s captain’s run in Bloemfontein – was happy with the weather prediction ahead of this week’s away clash.

“We’ve got a 3pm kick-off tomorrow, which – for starters – is better than an 11am start (like we had in Potchefstroom a few weeks ago)! It’s a bit chilly here (at the moment), but certainly not as cold as back in Cape Town and the dry field will suit us.

“We’re looking forward to tomorrow, but we know it won’t be easy,” he added.

“Results-wise, the Cheetahs haven’t had the best of seasons up till now but they’ve been very unlucky with some close losses – their results definitely don’t tell the fully story. Like us, they play an open brand of rugby – so it should be an entertaining match.”

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

15. Cheslin Kolbe

14. Werner Kok

13. Justin Geduld

12. Janco Gunther

11. JP Lewis (vice-captain)

10. Tommy Allan

9. Jean Nel

8. Nicholai Lubbe

7. Jurie van Vuuren

6. Justin Benn

5. Andrew Becker