The Vodacom Bulls under-21 travel to Durban this weekend for a third-round tie against the Hollywoodbets Sharks. The two junior teams – sitting third and fourth on the log, respectively – will meet on Saturday, 17 May, with kickoff set for 15h00 on the B-fields of the Kings Park precinct.
Edgar Marutlulle has once again opted for a six-two split impact squad that features a trio of junior Springboks returning from national duty with the Junior Boks in the under-20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha. Among the trio is Siphosethu Mnebelele, who will make his club debut and will become the fourth under-19 to feature in the current under-21 campaign for Marutlulle, should his services be required.
Fellow baby-boks join him in Ranon Fouche and Jean Erasmus. The rest of the standby crew sees team co-captain and match vice-captain Lukas Meyer alongside Nokutenda Mapungwana, Roelof Adam Jacobus ‘RJ’ Barnard, Brooklyn Newman and Roelof Daniel ‘RD’ Engelbrecht, who made his club debut back in his High School year, becoming the fifth under-19 brought into the fold.
On the starting fifteen, Marutlulle has made a few changes, which see Mbasa Maqubela, Shaun Schürmann and Casper Badenhorst lining up at the front row. Behind the bulky trio will be the lock pairing of Johnathan Eloff and Heinrich Theron with Cephas van Biljon and Jacobus Johanes “JJ” Theron, who is also returning from duty in the Eastern Cape held Rugby Championship, serving at loose-forward. Abri van der Westhuysen slots in at eight.
At the back, scrumhalf Steven Nel and flyhalf Liam Koen have been trusted to serve once more at halfback.
Behind the creative marshals will be Riyaad Bam at left wing and Alfondso Isaacs on the right side of the park. Wedged between the fast movers will be centre duo, Pieter van der Merwe and captain Logan Opperman. Sibongokuhle Thierry “JT” Kapank will offer cover at fullback.
VODACOM BULLS UNDER-21 STARTING XV: 1. Mbasa Maqubela, 2. Shaun Schürmann, 3. Casper Badenhorst (vc), 4. Johnathan Eloff, 5. Heinrich Theron, 6. Cephas van Biljon, 7. Jacobus Johanes “JJ” Theron, 8. Abri van der Westhuysen, 9. Steven Nel, 10. Liam Koen, 11. Riyaad Bam, 12. Pieter van der Merwe, 13. Logan Opperman (c), 14. Alfondso Isaacs, 15. Sibongokuhle Thierry “JT” Kapank
VODACOM BULLS UNDER-21 IMPACT SQUAD: 16. Siphosethu Mnebelele, 17. Ranon Fouche, 18. Jean Erasmus, 19. Nokutenda Mapungwana, 20. Roelof Adam Jacobus ‘RJ’ Barnard, 21. Brooklyn Newman, 22. Roelof Daniel ‘RD’ Engelbrecht, 23. Lukas Meyer (vc)
VODACOM BULLS UNDER-21 MANAGEMENT: Wessel Du Plessis – Head of Juniors, Edgar Marutlulle – Head Coach, Jacques van Rooyen – Forwards Coach, Ofentse Moeng – Backline Coach, Dr. Chris van der Merwe – Team Doctor, Claudette Eckard – Physiotherapist, Limbi Siyani – Sports Scientist, Michael Prevoo – Strength and Conditioning, Tshepo Mashigo – Logistics Manager, Prieur Le Grange and Justin Kruger – Technical Analyst, Prieur Le Grange – Team Manager
