Outside centre Ethan James will captain DHL Western Province U21 in their opening encounter of the SA Rugby U21 Cup against Cell C Sharks U21 in Durban on Saturday.

The two coastal team will meet at Kings Park 2, in a match that kicks off at 13h00 on Saturday.

James will link up with the exciting Suleiman Hartzenberg in midfield, with Kade Wolhuter pulling the strings at flyhalf and Imaad Khan at scrumhalf.

There is an exciting back three of fullback Duran Koevort and wings Ebenezer Tshimanga and Paschal Ekeji.

In the forward pack No.8 Keke Morabe will partner flanks Romuald Ntumba and Jarrod Taylor in the loose trio.

Simon Miller and Connor Evans are in the second row, while up front props Lamla Nunu and Vernon Matongo start on either side of hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela.

DHL Western Province U21 coach Nazeem Adams said that the key for his team will be to find some fluency in their combinations to start the campaign well.

“We have got some really talented players in this team, but the challenge will be to ensure that everything clicks and we work together as one.

“We start the season with an away game and we are expecting a tough test in Durban,” he said.

DHL WP U21: 15 Duran Koevort, 14 Paschal Ekeji, 13 Ethan James (captain), 12 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 11 Ebenezer Tshimanga, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Imaad Khan, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 6 Romuald Ntumba, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Vernon Matongo, 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 1 Lamla Nunu.
Replacements: 16 Keagan Blanckenberg, 17 Matthew Coenraad, 18 Rhynhardt Rijnsburger, 19 Marco van Rhyn, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Conwill Conradie, 22 Jonathan Roche, 23 Ruben Labuschagne.