Don’t take Crusaders lightly

Lesley-Dean Luiters breaks away to score a try in Saturday’s match against Jaguars

Richard Jansen loses possession

Two conversions for flyhalf Louis Kruger

Thanda ZRA Empangeni’s Elandré Basson dives over for try in the corner

Reece Dabner uses his massive frame to force his way over for another try

The Empangeni U20s will travel to Durban this Friday 5 March for their clash against Crusaders at Kings Park 6 at 8pm. Even though Crusaders went down 43-6 to Old Boys in the opening round of the competition, the opposition is expected to be much stronger this time out. From all accounts, Old Boys have done their recruiting well and have a top rate side at their disposal. So Friday night’s match could be quite an interesting exercise, especially if Empangeni are able to extend themselves again and pick up yet another substantial victory. That would throw a cat among the pigeons and cause a few tongues to wag. But Crusaders have always been a competitive team and never an easy side to play against, especially on their own stamping ground. They are not to be taken lightly and could cause a few problems if Empangeni underestimate them.

Changes
The Empangeni selectors were forced to make one or two changes, but other than that, the team is more or less the same that took on Jaguars and beat them 60-7. The team is: Jacques Lombard, Chris Ebersohn, Dwayne Jenner, Elandré Basson, Martin Smith, Ryno Olivier, Lesley-Dean Luiters, Uwe Schmahl, Jan-Bertus Vorster, Louis Grant, Ado Wessels, Wayne Lenley, Reece Dabner, George Fritz, Richard Jansen, Danie Mienie, PJ Kruger, Bertus Lourens, Rynardt van Wyk, Stephan Lombard, Louis Kruger and Stefan Momberg.