The SA Rugby Under 20 Championship returns this weekend as the first round pits six of the seven competing teams against one another in the country’s premier junior competition.
Mike Vowles and JP Pietersen (assistant) coach the Cell C Sharks Under 20 side that will travel to Port Elizabeth to take on the Eastern Province Under 20s when they meet at Wolfson Stadium on Saturday (2pm kick-off).
The two month long tournament that culminates in the first weekend of October sees the Durban and PE sides in action over the next eight weeks against the Blue Bulls, Golden Lions, Leopards, Free State and Western Province.
Discussing his team’s preparations and readiness for the competition, head coach Mike Vowles explained that, “This group had been together since early January so it’s been quite an extensive preseason.
“We had were fortunate to have two preseason tours and since then our SA under 20 representatives have returned which has certainly boosted the strength of the squad and we have worked really hard to get our systems in place.
“There is huge excitement amongst our squad, they’re very keen to get stuck in as this is the first bit of competitive rugby many of the guys have had in the last year and a half.”
Cell C Sharks Under 20s
1. Braam Reyneke
2. Jacques Goosen
3. Nash Mhere
4. Corne Rahl
5. Ockie Barnard (c)
6. Jaques Marais
7. Enos Ndiao
8. Siya Ningiza
9. Bradley Davids
10. Brandon Wilkie
11. Siviwe Zondani
12. Ethan Fischer
13. Mnqobi Mkhize
14. Simelela Nkomo
15. Loyd Koster
Replacements
16. Jordan Mcloughlin
17. Charles Gamhiwa
18. Blaine Golden
19. William Proudfoot
20. Tiaan Jonker
21. Daimon O’Connell
22. Curwin Gertse
23. Kian Meadon