The DHL Stormers Bolts will be looking to make it three wins from three matches this season when they face Vodacom Bulls U20 at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
Having started their SA Rugby U20 Cup campaign with home and away wins against the Sharks GEN, captain Aden da Costa’s team will have their sights set on continuing that positive start when action gets underway at 14h30 on Friday.
There are several changes for the trip to Pretoria. In the backline Jack Benade is back on the wing, and there is an all-new centre pairing of Luca Potgieter and Olunje Mehlomakulu, with the versatile Samuel Badenhorst set to play a role off the replacements bench.
In the forward pack, flank Alutha Wesi returns from injury and Gert Kemp moves to the back of the scrum, while there are also changes up front with lock Ethan Combrink and hooker Xabiso Mikva both making their first starts of the season.
Head Coach Johno van der Walt said that his team will need to be at their sharpest to get the win.
“We have got a few new faces this week, and the key will be for them to find cohesion as quickly as possible.
“We have been pleased with the performances so far, but we know that there are a few areas we can improve on, and that has been the focus this week,” he said.
DHL Stormers Bolts: 15 Dawid Badenhorst, 14 Jack Benade, 13 Luca Potgieter, 12 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 11 Jordan Steenkamp*, 10 Rayaan Solomons, 9 Jayden Brits*, 8 Gert Kemp*, 7 Aden da Costa (captain), 6 Alutha Wesi, 5 Alexander Smith, 4 Ethan Combrink, 3 Zak Hickman*, 2 Xabiso Mikva, 1 Jordan Jooste*.
Replacements: 16 Lukho Mtwana, 17 Bulela Mbala, 18 Unaye Mndau, 19 Dominic Sesink-Clee, 20 MJ van der Westhuizen, 21 Wihan Kotze, 22 Tyrone Gombe, 23 Samuel Badenhorst.
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