Bok hooker to scrum down for Ikeys
Western Province and Springbok hooker Hanyani Shimange will pack down in the FNB UCT front row when the Cape Town-based students take on SK Walmers in WP Super League action at ‘The Track’ on Saturday.
Shimange, a long-time understudy to Springbok captain John Smit, has been battling for consistent game time of late, which is why the Western Province management have released him to get some much-needed mileage under the belt for his club team.
Dayne ‘Danger’ Jans is back from his trial with the Golden Lions and will serve as Shimange’s back-up in an Ikey Tigers side that shows plenty of changes from last term.
Loose forward Jody Burch is at the Eagles, centre Pieter Engelbrecht is now contracted to the Lions and the likes of Martin Muller, Stu Commins and Tiger Bax are all involved with the Western Province Under-21 team.
Centre Dave Edgar is still out injured and winger Marvin Christians is unavailable, but at least head coach John Dobson was able to welcome back USA international JJ Gagiano this week.
In other noteworthy team news, meanwhile, second team flyhalf Ollie Braithwaite gets an opportunity in the first team – at inside centre – whilst Don Armand will start in the second row ahead of Michael Passaportis.
Dobson has also gone with two props on the bench, in the shape of fit-again Varsity Cup regulars, Dylan Rogers (loosehead) and Shane Meier (tighthead).
“We’ve had a long break since our last fixture against NNK in mid-June,” Dobson told varsitycup.co.za. “There is obviously a risk that the guys might be rusty, but we spent a very constructive few days in Riebeek West last weekend.
“The guys are aware that there’s still a lot of rugby to be played and even though it’s a tricky part of the season, in terms of the weather and with us having to make up a few games, the players are determined not to let our good first half of the season go to waste.”
And looking at the changes to his team, Dobson added: “We’ve lost a few guys to injuries and other Provinces – the usual mid-season raid! – but it’s great having a guy like JJ back (from the USA) and also having Shimmie in the mix.
“Club rugby still has a huge role to play, especially in a talented area like the Western Cape, and I am sure the WP coahing staff will be monitoring Shimmie and JJ and no doubt keeping an eye on a few other guys in the team.”
The UCT team: 15 Therlow Pietersen, 14 Pete Haw, 13 Sean van Tonder, 12 Ollie Braithwaite, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Matt Rosslee, 9 JP Robert, 8 Nick Fenton-Wells, 7 JJ Gagiano, 6 Enoch Panya, 5 Don Armand, 4 Bodo Sieber (captain), 3 Herbie Mayosi, 2 Hanyani Shimange, 1 Ashley Wells.
Replacements: 16 Dayne Jans, 17 Dylan Rogers, 18 Shane Meier, 19 Michael Passaportis, 20 Craig Kleu, 21 Ian Armstrong, 21 Dane Johnson, 22 Andre Coetzer.
Head coach: John Dobson
