Captain Davids moves to fullback
Regular flyhalf Shaun Davids will on Monday captain FNB Tuks from the fullback position when the Pretoria-based side takes on FNB Shimlas in a make-or-break FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International fixture.
Sixth-placed FNB Tuks must beat the fourth-on-the-log FNB Shimlas to stay in contention for the 2010 play-offs.
Davids’ re-deployment for this clash in Pretoria is one of eight changes to the Tuks starting line-up which was put to the sword by the FNB Maties in Stellenbosch earlier this week. Stanley Twiname will take over the No.10 jersey in his first start of the season.
The FNB Tuks skipper replaces kicking ace Justin van Staden, who is currently training with the SA Under-20 squad in Saldanha Bay.
Star man Van Staden will warm the bench on Monday, but head coach Freddie Grobler said his prolific points-machine would be pushed into action only if needed.
“Justin will be tired as he has played for us on Monday, for the SA Under-20 side on Wednesday (in the first of two warm-up matches) and will do so again on Saturday,” explained Grobler.
“The last thing we would want to do is to overplay him. Gertjie (Smith) will take over the kicking duties.”
Another notable change is at scrumhalf, where contracted Blue Bulls player Ettiene Greeff will be the fourth player, this season, to be entrusted with one of the key positions in the team. Before him; Ignick Windvogel, Wesleigh Marais and Zylon McGaffen have all had a throw at the dice in the No.9 shirt.
The only other change in the backline is on the left-wing, where the injured Aaron Denenga is replaced by Tom Seabela.
Up front there are also four changes. Marius Weber makes his comeback at No.8, with Coenie Pieterse moving to the side of the scrum to replace injured Louwrens Lombaardt.
Pieterse’s match fitness is, however, still in doubt as he was lightly concussed when he and teammate Gerhard van der Merwe suffered a head clash against the Maties. Pieterse will be monitored and a final call made on Saturday after the weekly captain’s run.
In the front row, the changes are at loosehead prop where Corné Fourie will have his first start of the season and at hooker, where Robbie Coetzee replaces Chris Crous.
The FNB Tuks team: 15 Shaun Davids (captain), 14 Dirk Dippenaar, 13 Ernie Kruger, 12 Gertjie Smith, 11 Tom Seabela, 10 Stanley Twiname, 9 Ettiene Greeff, 8, Marius Weber, 7 Tendaiyi Chikukwa, 6 Coenie Pieters, 5 Francois van Wyk, 4 Tiaan Nel, 3 Peet Vorster, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Corné Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Chris Crous, 17 Musa Tukela, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Oswin Mentoor, 20 Wesleigh Marais, 21 Terrence Jacobs, 22 Justin van Staden, 23 Hein Viljoen.
Head coach: Freddie Grobler
Date: Monday, March 8
Venue: Tuks Rugby Stadium
Kick-off: 6.30pm
Referee: Mlungiseli Mdashe
By Morris Gilbert
