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DHL WP U21 team to take on the Leopards

PUBLISHED: August 2, 2012


The DHL WP Under-21 team to take on the Platinum Leopards on Saturday, August 4 at Olën Park (Potchefstroom) at 13h00 has been announced, despite head coach John Dobson battling a mini injury-crisis at present.

Dobson has been forced into two injury-related changes from the side that went down 23-35 to the Vodacom Blue Bulls last weekend.

The DHL WP U21 coach revealed: “We probably have a few too many injuries that we would like at this stage.

“With Skarra Ntubeni not being cleared from last week’s concussion – we felt it prudent not to push him. Rayn Smid limped off early against the Bulls and SA U20 players in Ollie Kebble, Tshotsho Mbovane and Pat Howard are all still out injured. Together with the Under-21s playing for the senior team, our depth is being well tested early on!”

Injuries aside, the WP Young Guns are determined to bounce back from last week, having won away – in Johannesburg – in the first round against the MTN Golden Lions.

“The Bulls game was a big disappointment to us,” admitted Dobson.

“Being of most concern was that we did not play that badly but got outmuscled. We showed a lot of character to get back into the game only to let it slip again through some shoddy tackling.”

And looking ahead to their tough trip to Potchefstroom, the DHL WP Under-21 boss added: “The Leopards beat the Lions relatively easily in Jo’burg last week, so this is going to be a very hard game (in Potch).

“But there is a determination to put things right. We have worked hard on our ball-carries which was the major disappointment from last week.”

The DHL WP U21 coach announced his team to take on the Platinum Leopards as follows:

15. Craig Barry
14. Damian de Allende
13. JP du Plessis
12. Michael van der Spuy
11. Devon Williams
10. Dillyn Leyds
9. Rick Schroeder (vice-captain)
8. Jean-Pier Swanepoel
7. Kobus Nell
6. Beyers de Villiers
5. Wilhelm van der Sluys (captain)
4. Gerbrandt Grobler
3. Jacques Kotze
2. Stephan Coetzee
1. Francois van Wyk

RESERVES:

16. Jody Reyneke
17. Kelvin de Bruyn
18. James Kilroe
19. Lungelo Chonco
20. Andries Truter
21. Tim Swiel
22. Clearance Khumalo Referee: Lesego Legoete

 

 

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