John Dobson, the DHL Western Province Under-21 coach, has announced his team to take on the Sharks at DHL Newlands on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 16h45).
It is a much-changed DHL WP Under-21 side that will do battle against their foes from Durban, with four players having been called up to the senior Absa Currie Cup side and some players missing through injury.
“This certainly is a challenging week and what a week for it to happen – when we face the unbeaten Sharks,” said Dobson, whose side claimed a 31-20 win over the Platinum Leopards last weekend.
“Between injuries and senior call-ups we are without 14 players. I feel very sorry for Jody Reyneke who has been outstanding up till now… but is (now) out for the season. Also to lose our skipper, Wilhelm van der Sluys, is tough but it’s nice for him to get recognised by the Absa Currrie Cup team.”
In the absence of Van der Sluys and hooker Siyabonga ‘Skarra’ Ntubeni – both of whom are in the mix at senior level this weekend – scrumhalf Ricky Schroeder will captain the team against the Sharks, with Neil Rautenbach starting in the No 2 shirt.
In the backline, meanwhile, Tim Swiel will start at flyhalf, with Dillyn Leyds on the wing and Dean Hammond and Kobus van Wyk lining up at centre together – all selections made to cover for the various Absa Currie Cup call-ups.
“I have said to our boys that although we are in this position, we have the chance to do something special and have some plans to do exactly that,” added Dobson. “The one thing we will not do is roll over!”
The DHL Western Province Under-21 team to take on the Sharks is as follows:
15. Craig Barry
14. Dillyn Leyds
13. Dean Hammond
12. Kobus van Wyk
11. Devon Williams
10. Tim Swiel
9. Ricky Schroeder (Captain)
8. JP Swanepoel
7. Lungelo Chonco
6. Beyers de Villiers
5. Gerbrand Grobler
4. Jan de Klerk
3. Oliver Kebble
2. Neil Rautenbach
1. Francois van Wyk
RESERVES:
16. Stephan Coetzee
17. Kelvin de Bruyn
18. James Kilroe
19. Cobus Nel
20. Andries Truter
21. Clearance Khumalo
22. David Ambunya
The full programme for Saturday, August 11 (at DHL Newlands):
14h55 – DHL Western Province Under-19 vs Sharks
16h45 – DHL Western Province Under-21 vs Sharks
19h10 – DHL Western Province vs Sharks (Absa Currie Cup)