Griquas tweak pack for Cheetahs clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Scott Mathie has made just one change to their starting XV for Saturday’s final Super Rugby Unlocked meeting with neighbours the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
The only tweak to Griquas’ starting side, that came so close to a victory last week against the Sharks, is at No.8 where Carl Els comes in for Johan Momsen.
Last week, the Peacock Blue jerseys were extremely unfortunate to go down to the Sharks, who managed a dramatic late fightback to win this thrilling encounter in Kimberley by 34-33.
That heart-breaking loss left them still in search of their first campaign success.
Tinus de Beer starts at flyhalf again for Griquas. De Beer had a good match last weekend and the former Junior Springbok has again been entrusted with the flyhalf duties in a match that will no doubt deliver some thrills as both sides will be out to impress in their last outings before the focus shifts to the Currie Cup.
There is also one change on the extended replacements bench, with André Swarts coming in for utility back Ashlon Davids.
The men from Bloemfontein, on the other hand, will be equally determined to end the competition on a high note. They started the campaign impressively with two wins but then hit some headwinds with consecutive losses to the Sharks in Durban and the Stormers in Cape Town.
Griquas: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Carl Els, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Mox Mxoli.
Replacements – from: Monde Hadebe, Andrew Beerwinkel, Madot Mabokela, Ewan Coetzee, CJ Velleman, Theo Maree, André Swarts, Daniel Kasende, Bandisa Ndlovu, Sibabalo Qoma, Ashlon Davids.
Date: Saturday, November 21
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Time: 16.30 (14.30 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby, Paul Mente
TMO: Willie Vos
