Bulls Under-21s off to eThekwini for Sharks battle

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, with kickoff set for 3pm 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 U19 brought into the fold.

In the starting 15, 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: 15 Sibongokuhle Thierry “JT” Kapank, 14 Alfondso Isaacs, 13 Logan Opperman (capt), 12 Pieter van der Merwe, 11 Riyaad Bam; 10 Liam Koen, 9 Steven Nel; 8 Abri van der Westhuysen, 7 Jacobus Johanes “JJ” Theron, 6 Cephas van Biljon; 5 Heinrich Theron, 4 Johnathan Eloff; 3 Casper Badenhorst, 2 Shaun Schürmann, 1 Mbasa Maqubela. Replacements: 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.