The Vodacom Bulls will resume their SA Rugby under-19 Cup pursuits in Potchefstroom after a two-week hiatus. The Tshwane-based junior side will take on the Leopards in round 4 of the cup competition at Olën Park, with kick-off set for 13h00pm.
Head Coach, Edgar Marutlulle has made four changes from the side that took on the Cheetahs in round two.
In the forwards' pack, Juan Smal starts ahead of Juanre Breitenbach, who has recently recovered from a minor shoulder problem. Michail Damon comes into the matchday 23 with Sesethu Mphaka missing out due to illness.
Speaking about the changes, Marutlulle said: “We don’t want to rush Juanre back into contact, so we are managing his return because he has a long career ahead of him. Sesethu also misses out due to illness but it’s a great opportunity for Michail because he has trained so hard to get back to match fitness after his injury. We all know of the tremendous talent he has and are just excited to see him get some minutes under his belt,”
“We are also going to see Nokutenda get a run, another exciting player within our stable. He has been growing from strength to strength and this will be a wonderful opportunity for him.”
Speaking about the opponents awaiting them in the North West, Marutlulle said: “We know the Leopards will come to throw the kitchen sink at us because points out of this encounter mean staying alive in the competition for both sides,”
“We certainly know what is at stake, the team has trained well, preparing hard for this because they still believe in our ultimate goal.”
VODACOM BULLS UNDER-19 VS LEOPARDS: 1. Mbasa Maqubela, 2. Juan Smal, 3. Casper Badenhorst, 4. Ben Heydenrych, 5. Keanu Coetsee, 6. Lukas Meyer (c), 7. Lilitha Matsiliza, 8. Liselihle Maphekula, 9. Steven Nel, 10. Jayden Bantom, 11. Michail Damon, 12. Philip-Albert van Niekerk (vc), 13. Andile Myeni, 14. Alfondso Isaacs, 15. JL Van Rensburg
VODACOM BULLS UNDER-19 IMPACT SQUAD: Juanre Breitenbach, 17. Jean Fourie, 18. Kaleb Kriek, 19. Nokutenda Mapungwana, 20. Abel Pretorius, 21. One Fani, 22. Kobus Janse van Rensburg, 23. Duncan Blignaut
VODACOM BULLS UNDER-19 MANAGEMENT: Edgar Marutlulle - Head Coach; Wessel Du Plessis - General Attack, Exits and Kicking Coach, Ofentse Moeng - Launches & Backline Coach; Limbi Seyani - Sport Scientist & Strength and Conditioning; Dr. Gerhard Louwrens - Team Doctor; Darryn Berry - Physiotherapist; Prieur Le Grange - Technical Analyst & Team Manager; Tshepo Mashigo - Logistics Manager