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Dobson expecting ‘huge challenge’

PUBLISHED: July 26, 2012


DHL Western Province Under-21 coach John Dobson has described his team’s clash against the star-studded Blue Bulls Under-21 side as a ‘huge challenge’.

Some of the country’s best junior players will go head-to-head at Newlands on Saturday, in the second curtain-raiser to the Stormers-Sharks Super Rugby semifinal, and Dobson is bracing his charges for a physical onslaught.

Victorious South African Under-20 skipper Wiaan Liebenberg heads up a Bulls powerful pack, which also includes fellow Baby Boks loose forwards, tearaway Shaun Adendorff and last year’s SA U20 captain, Arno Botha.

And as if the Bulls pack does not look daunting enough, the world’s best Under-20 player, centre Jan Serfontein, will line up in the midfield for the visitors from Pretoria.

“It’s a helluva strong Bulls team,” said Dobson, “it must be one of the strongest at this age-group level for some time.

“I think we’re capable of playing a nice style of rugby across the board, but, first and foremost, we’ve obviously got a few plans of our own to counter that powerful Bulls pack.”

Whilst the Bulls are able to call upon numerous Baby Boks and players with Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup and Super Rugby experience, Dobson has some aces up his sleeve too.

“Part of the challenge we face is replacing players like Stephen Kitshoff, Eben Etzebeth, Nizaam Carr and Siya Kolisi – all of whom are still eligible for the DHL WP Under-21 team,” explained Dobson.

“But we’re an exciting and developing team and it’s a great chance for us to see where we’re at after our opening (25-19) win over the Golden Lions two weeks ago.”

The teams:

DHL Western Province Under-21: 15 Craig Barry, 14 Damian de Allende, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Dillion Leyds, 9 Rick Schroeder, 8 Rayn Smid, 7 Jacques-Pier Swanepoel, 6 Beyers de Villiers, 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Jacques Kotze, 2 Skarra Ntubeni, 1 Francois van Wyk.

Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Kelvin de Bruyn, 18 James Kilroe, 19 Jody Reyneke, 20 Kobus Nell , 21 Andries Truter, 22 Tim Swiel.

Blue Bulls Under-21: 15 Riaan Britz, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Ulrich Beyers, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Travis Ismaiel, 10 Tony Jantjies, 9 Lohan Jacobs, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Wiaan Liebenberg, 6 Shaun Adendorff, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Mike Williams, 3 Basil Short, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Juan Schoeman.

Replacements: 16 Jacques Momberg, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 JJ Breet, 19 Lean Schwartz, 20 Emile Temperman, 21 Burger Odendaal, 22 Christopher Bosch.

Kick-off: 2.45pm

Referee: Lusanda Jam