The Hollywoodbets Sharks Under 21s have fought their way to the finals of the SA Rugby Under 21 Cup where they will host the Fidelity ADT Lions Under 21s at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in the curtain-raiser to the big match on Saturday at 12h30.
Away wins for the semi-finalists translate into a home final for the Hollywoodbets Sharks Under 21s who defeated the Vodacom Blue Bulls Under 21s 35-33 while the
Fidelity ADT Lions Under 21s came out victorious against DHL Western Province 43-40 away from home.
Head coach Mike Vowles believes that a place in the final is fitting for a season that’s been about fighting to the end.
“We’re incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity after a tough second round which was quite a roller-coaster of a journey getting here,” he explains.
“Beating the Vodacom Blue Bulls in the semi-final at Loftus is an incredible achievement and we’ve had a really good week of prep, the guys are really excited about the challenge and the fact that we get to play a home final is a massive reward for the work done through the year.
“As a coaching group, to see the growth and the belief in this team has been really rewarding and they’ve been well led by Tom Dyer and his leadership group who have kept the team tight and focused.
“Saturday is a great opportunity to reward that hard work they’ve put in and the leadership they’ve shown.”
Talking rewards, Vowles has kept the same starting XV from the victorious side while SA Under 20 stars and World Rugby Under 20 champions Matt Romao, Caeno Everson and Vusi Moyo have all been included on the bench to add firepower later in the game.
“We went relatively unchanged this week, we wanted to reward the guys for that performance and we’ve brought some under 19s into the squad as a reward for some really good performances they’ve shown in that competition.
“We’re very grateful for this exciting opportunity to play in a final at home and put the performance in that’s needed.
“This group certainly deserves serious accolades for the character, resilience and determination they’ve shown this season.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks Under 21s
- Christoff Etzebeth
- Andre Davis
- Simphiwe Ngobese
- Siphephelo Mbonambi
- Ulrich van der Westhuizen
- Jean-Henri Smit
- Van Heerden Pretorius
- Thomas Dyer (C)
- Juan Loots
- Luan Gilliomee
- Maurice Willemse
- Albie Bester
- Janco Purchase
- Chijindu Okonta
- Jaco Williams
Replacements
- Liam van Wyk
- Phiwayinkosi Kubheka
- Nathi Ntuli
- Schalk du Plessis
- Matt Romao
- Caeno Everson
- Vusi Moyo
- Henrico Germishuizen