Watch ‘future Stormers’ strutting their stuff for Western Province at City Park

CATCH Western Province’s junior rugby players in action this morning when they take on the Blue Bulls at City Park in Crawford.

The U-19s start proceedings at 10am and will be chasing a seventh straight win, before the U-21s take to the field at noon for their first game of the season.

Both sides contested finals last season and ended up being beaten by the Golden Lions.

“We’ve gone through the first round unbeaten,” said U19 coach Nazeen Adams. “The boys know there’s still a long way to go, but trust me when I say they are a determined lot and I am confident we can go all the way.

“They’re a hard- working bunch who leave everything on the field. Coaching them is an absolute pleasure. And for sure there are future Stormers in our ranks. That’s what we’re all about.

“We are working with the finest young talent in the province and they’ve given 100 percent effort all the way, now it’s just a matter of them gaining experience and growing as individuals.

Junior Springbok captain Ernst van Rhyn will lead the U-21s from the lock position in their opening game. The squad assembled by coach Jerome Paarwater is full of raw talent.

“We’re ready to go,” said Paarwater.

“Our pre- season couldn’t have gone better and to beat the senior Boland first team is a sign of what’s to come. I’ve had more time to prepare the side than in the past and what I’ve seen so far leaves me feeling bullish about our chances of challenging for the silverware. It is a long campaign and all kinds of things can put a spanner in the works, but for now our sights are on a Bulls side who will come to us ready for whatever we throw at them.”

Partnering Van Rhyn in the second row will be Ruben de Villiers who made his senior Currie Cup debut for Western Province last week in the win over the Golden Lions at Newlands.

Percy Mngadi, Carlu Sadie and Ruben Terblanche make up the front row, while the loose trio of Zain Davids, Nyasha Tarusenga and World Rugby U- 20 Championship Player of the Tournament Juarno Augustus are armed with all the necessary weaponry to meet fire with fire and will take a backward step for no-one come the battle for supremacy at the breakdowns.