Griquas lose key players
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Injuries and departures will impact Griquas in the next few rounds of their Currie Cup campaign.
Veteran scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer has been sidelined for two to three weeks with a knee injury and will miss the home game against the Pumas in Kimberley on Wednesday.
He suffered the injury in the heartbreaking (23-24) loss to the Sharks in Durban a fortnight ago.
Young Raegan Oranje will start in the No.9 jersey this week – one of four changes to the backline.
Rynhardt Jonker starts at fullback in place of the injured Ashlon Davids, Alex-Zander du Plessis moved from flyhalf to is at inside centre in place of Zander du Plessis and Theo Boshoff is the flyhalf in place of Du Plessis.
Other players not considered for selection due to injury include Andrew Beerwinkel, Cameron Lindsay, Jay-Cee Nel, Carl Els and George Whitehead.
Griquas coach Pieter Bergh went with a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench.
“You know what to expect from Jimmy Stonehouse’s team,” Bergh said, adding: “It will be a big forward battle.”
Hooker Alandre van Rooyen will make his last appearance for Griquas on Wednesday, before he departs for London Irish in the English Premiership.
Van Rooyen had a ‘get out’ clause in his contract if he received an offer from abroad.
Griquas: 15 Rynhardt Jonker, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Christopher Hollis, 12 Alex-Zander du Plessis, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Theo Boshoff, 9 Raegan Oranje, 8 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Niel Otto, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Alandre van Rooyen, 1 Eddie Davids.
Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Kudzwai Dube, 18 Justin Forwood, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Hanru Sirgel, 21 Michael Amiras, 22 Johan Mulder, 23 Sango Xamlashe.
Date: Wednesday, February 2
Venue: Griquas Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 15.30 (13.30)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Local
TMO: Ben Crouse
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