JC Mars will change into the most recent product of the DHL Western Province youth system to make his Currie Cup debut, as a golden technology of children has energised the camp. DYLAN JACK reviews.
Outdoors again Mars has been named to make a beginning debut for DHL Western Province within the Currie Cup conflict with the Griffons in Cape City on Saturday evening.
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The 19-year-old is one in all three debutants for WP, as tighthead prop and Junior Springbok captain Zachary Porthen and younger flyhalf Kyle Smith have been named on the bench.
“They’re nice. These are thrilling gamers,” assistant coach Dawie Snyman mentioned. “You could possibly already see the hype round them after they had been youthful.
“The best way they skilled this week, the vitality that they’ve introduced, you may see that they’re high quality gamers and they’ll play for the Stormers.
“The faster we are able to get them into strain eventualities at a better stage within the Currie Cup, the higher for his or her improvement. We’re excited to see them go.”
A schoolboy sensation at Paarl Boys Excessive, Mars additionally represented SA Colleges and SA U18 in 2023, with clips of his elusive sidestepping going viral on social media.
Mars was named within the Junior Springbok squad this 12 months, however an damage introduced his U20 Championship marketing campaign to a untimely finish.
“He’s an outstanding ball-player. He’s received nice toes, good X-factor as properly,” Snyman mentioned. “If we are able to get the ball to him in house, he could cause some injury.
“What’s additionally vital for him, which we additionally centered on this week, is his defence. Our wings defend aggressively, so it will likely be a pleasant take a look at for him, to verify he will get our system beneath the belt.”
The trio will observe within the footsteps of flanks Divan Fuller and CJ Velleman, centre Jonathan Roche, wing Jared Africa and entrance rowers Vernon Matongo, Mhleli Khuzwayo and Nicolas Roebeck, who’ve all made their senior debuts throughout the event.
“It’s been sensible. We advised the blokes that it’s Paarl Boys versus Paarl Gim tomorrow and a few of these guys had been enjoying in that sport final 12 months. Now they’re enjoying within the Currie Cup,” Snyman mentioned.
“It’s fairly a giant step for them going ahead. However they’ve appeared snug, you may see that they’re all good rugby gamers.
“Additionally credit score to our senior gamers, taking these boys beneath their wings, a few of the URC gamers having small conferences speaking about what’s anticipated.
“Having younger blood is nice for us. It’s brings quite a lot of vitality and pleasure within the squad.”
Photograph: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Photos
