Bêrend Botha will start at lock for the Vodacom Blue Bulls' under 21 side after Hendrik Roodt was ruled out with a knee injury.

Roodt injured his knee ligaments in the semi-final against the Lions and as a result of this he will not be able to participate in Saturday's final against the Free State Cheetahs.

Botha will scrum in the second row alongside Fudge Mabeta but the rest of the pack that was very impressive in the league stages of the under 21 competition was left unchanged.

Coach Nico Serfontein was able to name his first choice backline for the final but he continued to stress the fact that they are preparing for a very tough battle.

"We are fully aware that the Cheetahs outplayed us in the league match and it would have been a different result if their goal kicking was better.

"They will also be strengthened by the return of guys like Robert Ebersohn and JW Jonker and their pack is always very competitive in all the areas of the game."

The under 21 final kicks off at 14:00 in the ABSA Stadium.

Vodacom Blue Bulls u21: 15 Adillio Coutriers; 14 Stephan Dippenaar, 13 Braam Gerber, 12 Ruan Boshoff, 11 Aubrey McDonald; 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Francois Hougaard; 8 Gerrit-Jan Van Velze (captain), 7 Danie Crous, 6 Okkie Kruger, 5 Fudge Mabeta, 4 Bêrend Botha, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Brett Sharman,1 Corné Fourie. Reserwes: 16 Henri Bantjes, 17 Ivann Espag, 18 Willem Serfontein 19 Vince Gwavu, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Stefan Watermeyer, 22 Wynand Willis.

www.bluebulls.co.za