Empangeni focus on first fixture win
STORY: Earl Baillache
The Empangeni U20 A side start their 2010 campaign off this Saturday 27 February when they square up against Jaguars on the A field at Mick Kelly Park at 3.30pm. The B team have drawn a bye, however, they will host eSikhawini for a friendly. The U20s enjoyed a successful trip to the South Coast last Saturday for a friendly against the South Coast Warriors that helped the coaches finalise their selections. ‘We played five 20 minutes chakas and I’m pleased to say we won all of them and didn’t concede one try,’ said a chuffed JP Immelman. ‘The boys are starting to come together nicely.’ It bodes well for their first fixture where it’s vital for them to hit the ground running. The Frank Norris Competition is KZN’s premier U20 competition and the Empangeni squad face stiff competition in the coming weeks. It is imperative that they draw first blood, especially since they are enjoying home ground advantage. ‘We are definitely going for a win on Saturday. ‘It’s important that we get the first win under our belt, as we will be travelling to Durban for the next two consecutive Saturdays. ‘Regarding team selection, the flyhalf position is still undecided as we are giving Lesley Dean Luiters until tomorrow (Thursday) to see if he will recover from an ankle injury. ‘If he’s not fit, we will start with Stephan Lombard. ‘We are also not 100% sure of the hooker and prop positions.’
The team
The team for Saturday is: Jacques Lombard, Chris Eversohn, Elandré Basson, Dwayne Jenner (captain), Martin Smith, Francois Bodenstein, Lesley Dean Luiters or Stephan Lombard, Uwe Schmahl, Jan-Bertus Vorster, Louis Grant, Jovan Willemse, Wayne Lemley, Reece Dabner, FJ Binneman and Richard Jansen.
Replacements
George Fritz, Danie Mienie, Ado Wessels, Rynardt van Wyk, Stephan Lombard or Bertus Lourens, Ryno Olivier and Louis Kruger.
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