Griquas suffer big blow ahead of Currie Cup Final
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Pieter Bergh has made a handful of changes for their Currie Cup Final against the Pumas.
The Griquas will take to the field with a new captain after Niel Otto was ruled out due to concussion.
Otto was taken from the field early in the second half of their 30-19 semifinal win over the Bulls last weekend. He was knocked out cold, after getting his head on the wrong side of a tackle.
Bergh revealed his captain failed his Head Injury Assessment tests.
“The big news is that Otto did not pass his HIA,” Bergh said.
“He went to the specialist on Tuesday and was not cleared.”
The captain’s armband has been handed to centre Sango Xamlashe.
Werner Gouws will get a start and he will don the No.6 jersey, while Michael Amiras covers the bench.
Another change in the pack sees Cameron Lindsay get a start at lock. He replaces Johan Retief.
In the backline, Stormers-bound Stefan Ungerer is back at scrumhalf.
Last week’s man of the match George Whitehead comes in at fullback in place of the injured Ashlon Davids.
The 28-year-old Davids ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the Currie Cup semifinal clash against the Bulls last week.
Griquas: 15 George Whitehead, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Sango Xamlashe (Captain), 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Alex-Zander du Plessis, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Sibabalo Qoma, 7 Hanru Sirgel, 6 Werner Gouws, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Cameron Lindsay, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Kudzwai Dube.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Andries Schutte, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Michael Amiras, 21 Johan Mulder , 22 Theo Boshoff, 23 Christopher Hollis
Date: Saturday, June 25
Venue: Griqua Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant referees: Morné Ferreira, Griffin Colby
TMO: Quinton Immelman
#ICYMI: In January 2021 Stefan Ungerer was still ‘unemployed’ and unsure about his future. On Saturday he will be a key player in the Currie Cup Final. #Griquas #Pumas #CurrieCup #GRIvPUM https://t.co/v4Q77n2vKq
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) June 22, 2022
