SA Rugby Under-20 Cup fixtures confirmed:
The SA Rugby Under-20 Cup competition kicks off on the first weekend of August, with all the participating teams ready to give their all to make it to the playoffs in October.
The new Under-20 competition replaces the previous series for U19 and U21 teams, with seven teams taking part over a single round of matches in the build-up to the semi-finals and final, with a number of bye weekends worked into the schedule.
Unfortunately, the U20 Shield competition – which was scheduled to start at the end of August – had to be cancelled following the withdrawal of five participating unions, as a result of the COVID pandemic. The other teams will still be allowed to arrange friendly encounters of play against the Cup teams in warm-up matches.
The U20 Cup competition – played over a single round of matches starting on the weekend of 6/7 August – will be contested by the Vodacom Bulls, Toyota Free State, Eastern Province, Leopards, Lions, Cell C Sharks and DHL Western Province, with the final scheduled for 30 October.
The first round will see a number of big clashes play out at the Vodacom Bulls host the Lions in Pretoria, Toyota Free State travel to Potchefstroom to play the Leopards, and Eastern Province welcome the Cell C Sharks to Nelson Mandela Bay.
“This competition was specifically designed to give the next generation of provincial stars the opportunity to stake their claim for higher honours and we’re excited to see them in action,” said Rassie Erasmus, Director of Rugby.
“These players have been working hard over the last couple of months and they will be chomping at the bit to get going. The competition has been stretched to allow teams to field fully-fit squads and to hopefully not see many cancellations of matches.”
Fixtures:
(Home teams named first; venue and kick-off details to be confirmed; all fixtures subject to change):
First round: 6/7 August
Vodacom Bulls U20 v Lions U20
Leopards U20 v Toyota Free State U20
Eastern Province U20 v Cell C Sharks U20
Bye: DHL Western Province U20
Second round: 13/14 August
Cell C Sharks U20 v Vodacom Bulls U20
Toyota Free State U20 v Eastern Province U20
DHL Western Province U20 v Leopards U20
Bye: Lions U20
Third round:27/28 August
Vodacom Bulls U20 v Toyota Free State U20
Lions U20 v Cell C Sharks U20
Eastern Province U20 v DHL Western Province U20
Bye: Leopards U20
Fourth round: 3/4 September
Toyota Free State U20 v Lions U20
DHL Western Province U20 v Vodacom Bulls U20
Leopards U20 v Eastern Province U20
Bye: Cell C Sharks U20
Fifth round: 17/18 September
Vodacom Bulls U20 v Leopards U20
Lions U20 v DHL Western Province U20
Cell C Sharks U20 v Toyota Free State U20
Bye: Eastern Province U20
Sixth round: 23/24 September
DHL Western Province U20 v Cell C Sharks U20
Leopards U20 v Lions U20
Eastern Province U20 v Vodacom Bulls U20
Bye: Toyota Free State U20
Seventh round: 8/9 October
Lions U20 v Eastern Province U20
Cell C Sharks U20 v Leopards U20
Toyota Free State U20 v DHL Western Province U20
Bye: Vodacom Bulls U20
Semi-finals: 16 October
Final: 30 October
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
The post SA Rugby Under-20 Cup fixtures confirmed appeared first on The Sharks.
The Cell C Sharks will welcome the high-riding Tafel Lager Griquas to Jonsson Kings Park this Saturday afternoon for the second-round clash in this year’s Carling Currie Cup competition.
Griquas are currently in third spot on the log and after seeing off the likes of the Sigma Lions and DHL Western Province, the latter an historic victory in Cape Town, will come to Durban high on confidence, knowing that they are doing a lot right in this year’s tournament.
Cell C Sharks prop Ntuthuko Mchunu warns that their opponents are going to be tough, but that his team haven’t been idly watching things unfold in their efforts that have taken them to the top of the log.
“It’s been a good week’s preparation,” he explained in the lead-up to the match. “We took a lot of confidence out of the win over the Cheetahs, although we are brushing up for this weekend’s game and cleaning up a few things.”
Of the opposition, he acknowledged that they will have a real fight on their hands if they want to do the double against the side from Kimberley after their first round (30-16) win in June.
“They’re a difficult bunch, they play with a lot of pride and they have a lot of experience in their squad. We’re looking forward to a massive battle upfront, we know they’re going to take us on, especially at scrum time and the lineout maul.
“They’ve had a very good campaign so far, they’re in the top three and currently on a roll after putting down two of the big teams which will be a big, big confidence booster for them.”
Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has largely stuck with the same team that performed so well last week against the Cheetahs, naming Lourens Adriaanse at tighthead in place of Khutha Mchunu while Mpilo Gumede comes in for Dylan Richardson at flank.
There are three changes in the backline, Sanele Nohamba replacing Grant Williams, Murray Koster coming in for an injured Marius Louw and Yaw Penxe replacing Marnus Potgieter on the wing.
Cell C Sharks
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu
2. Kerron van Vuuren
3. Lourens Adriaanse
4. Le Roux Roets
5. Reniel Hugo
6. James Venter
7. Mpilo Gumede
8. Phepsi Buthelezi (c)
9. Sanele Nohamba
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Thaakir Abrahams
12. Murray Koster
13. Werner Kok
14. Yaw Penxe
15. Anthony Volmink
Replacements
16. Dan Jooste
17. Mzamo Majola
18. Wiehahn Herbst
19. Thembelani Bholi
20. Henco Venter
21. Jaden Hendrikse
22. Lionel Cronje
23. Jeremy Ward
The post Griquas at Home appeared first on The Sharks.
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