Boland have that Stellenbosch flavour
FNB Maties utility back Hayden Groepes will line up at fullback for the Boland Cavaliers this weekend – just one of a host of Stellenbosch stars tasked with getting the Wellington-based team’s 2009 Currie Cup campaign back on track.
Groepes, a member of the 2009 Varsity Cup-winning Maties squad, has been drafted in by new Boland Director of Coaching Chester Williams as the former Springbok wing looks to guide his new team from last position on the Currie Cup log.
Up front, ex-Maties George Earl and Jacobie Adriaanse will power-up the Boland tight five, but it is at centre where the Maties will have an even bigger say with highly-rated WP youngsters PJ Vermeulen and Dandré Gerber lining up at No.13 and No.12, respectively.
Vermeulen has been on the WP and Stormers fringes for some time now, whilst Gerber is the son of former Springbok legend Danie – the finest outside centre in the world in his day.
Amazingly, both Vermeulen and Gerber have spent recent weeks in the Victorians team – Maties’ second team – but there is no doubt that this exciting duo has the potential to light up Boland’s dismal 2009 Currie Cup campaign.
Boland will entertain former Currie Cup pace-setters, Griquas, at the Wellington Stadium on Friday afternoon – a must-win affair if ever for the home team.
Boland Cavaliers: 15 Hayden Groepes, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 PJ Vermeulen, 12 Dandré Gerber, 11 Justin Peach, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Charlie King, 8 Junior Bester, 7 Rito Hlungwane (captain), 6 David Hendricks, 5 Nico Esterhuyse, 4 George Earl, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Harry Vermaas, 1 Janro van Niekerk.
Replacements: 16 Conrad Burke, 17 Jané du Toit, 18 Wendal Wehr, 19 Zolani Mofu, 20 Denzil Willemse, 21 Dewey Swartbooi, 22 Alvin Hugo.
Kick-off: 3pm – Friday, September 11
Venue: Boland Stadium, Wellington
