Bulls U21s ready to battle Leopards

The game will take place on Friday 14 October at Loftus Versfeld, B-field, with kick-off scheduled for 13h00pm CAT.

“Throughout the competition, our side has been consistent in putting in good performances. The boys have played with great belief and played for one another, now they have another opportunity to do that and look to advance to the finals,” Groepes commented on his selection.

The Cebo Dlamini and Tiaan Fourie (co-captains) led side goes into the fixture having won four of their five group stage games, sitting top of the log standings, two points ahead of the DHL Western Province - who will play the Lions in the other semifinal at the Villager RFC, in Cape Town.

Despite their good showing, which includes wins in both their home and away legs against their final-four rivals, the Leopards, the Vodacom Bulls coach knows to not let his guard down.

“We know to expect a tough game against the Leopards, the boys know that everything is on the line and both sides will want to advance to the penultimate game. I am confident that tomorrow these boys will put up their hands and grab the moment with both hands, it should be a good match to watch for everyone in the stands.”

Groepes has selected a strong side that includes ‘Mr. Consistent’, Quewin Nortje. The winger/full back will wear jersey No 11 while Danwich Beukes makes his much-awaited return since being sidelined through injury. He will start as blind-side flanker. The side have the likes of Juann Else, Mawande Mdanda and Neil le Roux to call upon from the bench.

VODACOM BULLS UNDER-21 STARTING XV:

1. Cebo Dlamini (c), 2. Tiaan Lange, 3. Sebastian Lombard, 4. Hanno Theunisen, 5. Marco De Witt, 6. Danwich Beukes, 7. Ghudian Van Reenen, 8. Hardus Rothmann, 9. Tiaan Fourie (c), 10. Rowan Cloete, 11. Quewin Nortje, 12. Carlton Banies, 13. Munashe Dukuzwa, 14. Tharquinn Manuel, 15. Franco Knoetze

VODACOM BULLS UNDER-21 IMPACT SQUAD:

16. Corne Lavagna, 17. Juann Else, 18. Mawande Mdanda, 19. Corne Beets, 20. Neels Volschenk, 21. Neil le Roux, 22. Compion von Ludwig, 23. Gert Steyn