Kemp the Maties' new perfect 10
André Kemp will line up at flyhalf for the FNB Maties against FNB Tuks on Monday, March 1; with injuries and Vodacom Cup call-ups forcing the hand of Stellenbosch head coach Chean Roux.
Kemp – who has been on the Maties bench up until now – replaces Vodacom Cup star Conrad Hoffmann in the No.10 shirt – despite Hoffmann playing scrumhalf for Western Province this weekend.
In other enforced backline changes, Jonathan Francke will line up at fullback in place of another WP representative, Jurgen Visser, whilst Charl Weideman comes in for the injured Stokkies Hanekom at outside centre.
Up front, meanwhile, Maties mentor Roux has made a ‘horses-for-courses’ selections in a bid to keep his bench fresh; with Josh Strauss earning a start in the No.6 shirt and Andrew Crausaz starting at hooker.
Sam Mabombo drops down to the bench – effectively swapping with Strauss – and Gareth Light will provide cover for Crausaz, with Matthew Dobson – Maties’ regular No.2 – taking a complete break this week.
Looking ahead to the Tuks encounter, Roux explained his changes to varsitycup.co.za: “I could see last week that some of the guys coming off the bench were a bit rusty, so it’s important that they get decent game time [this week].
“I’m still starting with Cameron Peverett on the bench as he got ten minutes only against Shimlas [last week] and I think he needs a bit more time off the bench before he can come into contention for a starting position.”
With Peverett remaining on the bench – as Roux, wisely, eases him back from a pre-season rib injury – tighthead prop Lourens Adriaanse will again skipper the Maties, as he has done thus far in 2010.
* The Maties and Tuks have met four times in the Varsity Cup; in two league matches and two semifinals.
The Maties have won both semifinal encounters, but the first-ever league between these two sides (on the opening day of the 2008 Varsity Cup) ended in a 31-31 draw and last year Tuks beat the Maties 25-23 in Stellenbosch – in the final league match of the season – to qualify for the semifinals.
The FNB Maties team: 15 Jonathan Francke, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Charl Weideman, 12 Stephan van der Merwe, 11 Tythan Adams, 10 André Kemp, 9 Johan Herbst, 8 Tertius Daniller, 7 Jonathan Adendorf, 6 Josh Strauss, 5 Marinus Pretorius, 4 Andrew Prior, 3 Lourens Adriaanse (captain), 2 Andrew Crausaz, 1 Johan Roets.
Replacements: 16 Gareth Light, 17 Mike De Neuilly-Rice, 18 Cameron Peverett, 19 Sam Mabombo, 20 Johan Laker, 21 Adnaan Oesman, 22 Wilhelm Loock, 23 Buhle Mxunuywa.
Head coach: Chean Roux
Date: Monday, March 1
Venue: Danie Craven Stadium
Kick-off: 4.30pm (Live on SuperSport One)
Referee: Tiaan Jonker
