Edinburgh’s Duhan van der Merwe is up against Junior Bok Cheswill Jooste of the Bulls. Pictures: Paul Devlin/SNS Group via Getty Images, and Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann said he backs 19-year-old Cheswill Jooste to face Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer, and believes the challenge will aid his development even if the contest does not go his way. The Junior Springbokwill earn just his fourth non-Currie Cup cap for the Bulls when they play against Edinburgh in their 10th round United Rugby Championship match at Hive Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 9.45pm).
The Bulls sit one place below Edinburgh at 11th, wanting a win to restore pride after just coming out of a seven-match losing streak. Jooste was one of the shining stars in the team that won theU20 World Championshipslast year. He was quickly picked up by the Bulls, and was one of three Junior Boks to join a Springbok training camp,eliciting praisefrom national coach Rassie Erasmus in the process.
Jooste has been an exciting talent to watch in his limited appearances this season, scoring two URC tries and one in the Champions Cup, matching his total number of caps. But he will have an unprecedented challenge starting at right wing, opposite Edinburgh’s Duhan van der Merwe. The South African-born flyer has 35 tries in 52 caps for Scotland.
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At the age of 30, he is set to extend his record, though Edinburgh teammate Darcy Graham is one try behind. The powerful, straight-lined attacker is also prolific in the air, and that was where Ackermann foresaw the greatest challenge, as Edinburgh expects wet and windy conditions from 4°C to 7°C. Ackermann said the game would be good for Jooste’s development regardless of how the game goes.
“It will be harsh to judge him on one game but hopefully it will go well. Thankfully, there are players with experience who can back him.” Moodie’s HIA protocol absence also sees regular wing Sebastian de Klerk set to play just his second match at outside centre, after last week’s26-24 win over Section Paloise (Pau).
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