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Seven DHL WP youngsters to face Varsity Cup XV

PUBLISHED: April 19, 2015


The national selectors have confirmed the Junior Springboks matchday squad to face a strong Varsity Cup Dream Team in Stellenbosch on Tuesday evening – a group that includes seven DHL WP youngsters.

Prop Frans van Wyk, flyhalf Brandon Thomson and fullback/wing Grant Hermanus will all start on the bench, with wings Kanyo Ngcukana and Leolin Zas and inside centre Daniel du Plessis (pictured) and flyhalf Ernst Stapelberg all starting for the SA Under-20s. Four players who represented the Junior Springboks at the 2014 Junior World Championship in New Zealand – Warrick Gelant (fullback), Dan du Preez (flank), Abongile Nonkontwana (lock) and Joseph Dweba (hooker) – will line up for the Junior Boks once again. The historic clash, which marks the first of its kind between the sides, is an important part of the Junior Boks’ preparation for the newly-named World Rugby Under-20 Championship, which will be hosted in Italy in June. “This match is exactly what the team needs at this stage,” said Junior Springbok coach Dawie Theron. “Although we started a while back with our training camp in Stellenbosch, we only had the full training squad together for a short while as some of the players had Varsity Cup and provincial commitments.” Theron expected a tough test on Tuesday, adding: “We had a good training session on Thursday morning against the WP Rugby Institute and it was great to test the guys in match like conditions. “The Varsity Cup Dream Team, however, is very strong and they will no doubt give us a good workout. The Dream Team consists of the best players of the Varsity Cup and they also have several players who have played for the Junior Springboks in the past, so they will be familiar with our structures.” * Tuesday’s match will kick-off at 18h30 at the Danie Craven Stadium and will be televised live on SuperSport One. The Junior Springboks team to face the Varsity Cup Dream Team: 15. Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 14. Kanyo Ngcukana (DHL Western Province) 13. JT Jackson (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 12. Daniel du Plessis (DHL Western Province) 11. Leolin Zas (DHL Western Province) 10. Ernst Stapelberg (DHL Western Province) 9. Ivan van Zyl (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 8. Hanro Liebenberg (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 7. Dan du Preez (Cell C Sharks) 6. CJ Velleman (EP Kings) 5. RG Snyman (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 4. Abongile Nonkontwana (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 3. Ruan Kramer (Toyota Free State Cheetahs) 2. Joseph Dweba (Toyota Free State Cheetahs) 1. Ox Nche (Toyota Free State Cheetahs) Replacements: 16. Mzamo Majola (Cell C Sharks) 17. Jan van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 18. Frans van Wyk (DHL Western Province) 19. Jason Jenkins (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 20. Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks) 21. Marco Janse van Vuuren (Xerox Golden Lions) 22. Brandon Thomson (DHL Western Province) 23. Grant Hermanus (DHL Western Province) – Kick-off: 18h30 – Venue: Danie Craven Stadium – Live on SuperSport One – Follow the Junior Springboks on their journey to the 2015 World Rugby Under-20 Championship on Twitter at @JuniorBoks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/springboks