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‘Fresh’ DHL WP U21s raring to go

PUBLISHED: September 26, 2013


The league-topping DHL Western Province Under-21 team is raring to go after a week off, with the in-form youngsters in Blue & White taking on Border in East London on Friday afternoon (kick-off 13h00).

WP's Under-21s have lost just one match this season, out of nine starts, and coach John Dobson told www.wprugby.com: “We are looking forward to the trip to East London. After a week off there is a freshness about the team.

“I know teams traditionally do not play well after a bye – whether you work them hard or rest them in the bye week. We did a bit of both. We finished last week with a good afternoon at the races where we managed to raise some money for charity. But now the guys are keen to play together again.

“It's a good game and trip to come together again,” added the WP U21 coach.

“We have respect for what Border have done over the past few years at our level and although they have not had a great season results-wise, it's good for us to play against a team that maul well and that play the off-loading game that tests defence so well.”

WP's last fixture saw them overcome the Blue Bulls Under-21s in Pretoria, meaning that they have now not lost since their opening-day defeat to the Free State Cheetahs U21s back in mid-July.

However, the Province Under-21s will travel to East London without regular skipper Josh Katzen, who is on the bench for the WP Absa Currie Cup team in Bloemfontein, whilst star No.8 Rayn Smid is unavailable for selection after also making his Currie Cup debut last weekend.

In their absence, lock Ruan Botha (pictured, above) will captain the team, with Justin Benn, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Carel du Preez lining up at loose forward. Kobus van Wyk (back from a hamstring strain) and Pat Howard have been reunited at centre, meanwhile, in the absence of injured midfielder Kyle Lombard.

“There is an absolute gale forecast for Friday afternoon and that is always a massive leveller. We have made some plans for it, but the wind, as you know, can upset any plan. It will require a lot of discipline and focus for us to get a win in those conditions,” said Dobson.

“I am thrilled that Josh and Rayn have been with the senior (Currie Cup) team – they can only benefit from that experience – and, in turn, it means we can look at our depth at loose forward with two Under-20s, Justin Benn and Carel du Preez starting, and Cobus Nel and 'Bob' Chonco getting opportunities on the bench.

“I am happy where the team is at at the moment and it's great to be well clear at the top of the log, but they can change quickly and we all know the season comes down to the play-offs and that's what we have to get ready for.”

The DHL Western Province Under-21 team to take on Border is as follows:

15. Dillyn Leyds
14. Craig Barry
13. Pat Howard
12. Kobus van Wyk
11. Devon Williams
10. Tim Swiel
9. Godlen Masimla
8. Carel du Preez
7. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
6. Justin Benn
5. Ruan Botha (captain)
4. Jean Kleyn
3. Justin Ackerman
2. Stephan Coetzee
1. Oliver Kebble

Replacements:
16. Freddie Kirsten
17. Entienne Swanepoel
18. Sti Sithole
19. Cobus Nel
20. Lungelo Chonco
21. Jean Nel
22. Johnny Kotze

Referee: Gerrie de Bruin