Late changes to Nadoes XV
The Steinhoff Tornadoes have been forced into making a few last-minute changes to their starting line-up for Monday’s do-or-die Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships clash against Dagbreek from Stellenbosch.
Fullback Mark Winter has moved to centre to replace Brendan Raubenheimer, with winger Leigh Bruinders moving to the No.15 position to cover for Winter’s positional change.
The No.11 jersey will now be filled by Matthew Healy, whilst there is also a change on the right-wing where Varsity Cup scrumhalf Kyle Wickins nudges fellow retreaded scrumhalf Ian Armstrong (pictured) down to the bench.
Elsewhere in the Nadoes 22, Nicholas van Lierde comes onto the bench where he will be joined by ‘Army’ Armstrong.
The Tornadoes have to win this match to register UCT’s first-ever Steinhoff Koshuisrugby semifinal appearance, but they are up against a powerful Dagbreek team.
The Nadoes, however, are well aware of the speed and physical nature of this potent Dagbreek team, but home-ground advantage – after this game was moved from Stellenbosch to Cape Town – could be the deciding factor.
Of course, this match will be played as a curtain-raiser to the UCT v Tuks Varsity Cup fixture (at 6.30pm) – a crucial game for John Dobson’s Ikeys side who need to win to grab a home semifinal.
The Steinhoff Tornadoes team (revised): 15 Leigh Bruinders, 14 Kyle Wickins, 13 Mark Winter, 12 Justin Bijl, 11 Matthew Healy, 10 Matthew Russell, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Damion Stander, 7 Brennan Wright, 6 Stuart Hablutzel, 5 Grayson Wright, 4 Tom Horne, 3 Simon Bergman, 2 Anthony Kouderis, 1 Bradley van der Westhuizen (captain).
Replacements: 16 Ryan Dean, 17 Wade Swannel, 18 Brett Snyders, 19 Nicholas van Lierde, 20 Xhanti Nesi, 21 Ian Armstrong, 22 Micheal Ginsby.
Head coach: Tom Dawson-Squibb
Manager: Justin Mitchell
Kick-off: 4.45pm
Venue: Groote Schuur, Cape Town
