Dobson wants 'accurate execution'
FNB Ikey Tigers head coach John Dobson is backing his players to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing Intervarsity loss – when they host the unpredictable SK Walmers outfit in WP Super League action at the Green Mile on Friday night.
The Ikeys, who were pushing hard for National Club Championships qualification, went down 14-29 to the FNB Maties at Groote Schuur last Saturday – all but counting themselves out of league and Club Champs contention in the process.
Dobson, speaking ahead of Friday’s clash against SK Walmers, told varsitycup.co.za: “We are desperately disappointed over last week.
“The first half into the wind was abject,” he added. “We have played into so much wind this year and more often than not (have) been leading or won those halves. Our worst was minus-eight against the Shimlas in the opening game (of the Varsity Cup), yet here we finished 0-24 down.
“In a nutshell, it was appalling… (and) our discipline was awful, so well done to the Maties and their amazing defence.”
It goes without saying that Dobson expects an improvement from his charges this week – but he is well aware of the dangers of facing the dangerous SK Walmers, who are just ahead of them on the Super League log (due to points’ difference).
“It’s important that we bounce back with a good performance and the four points,” said Dobson. “It’s been a tough week, weather-wise, so need to be accurate in our execution as SK will pounce on any errors.”
Meanwhile, in team news this week, veteran lock Bodo Sieber will take over the captaincy from loose forward Nick Fenton-Wells who is missing due to illness.
Sieber, known to all as the ‘Door’, will pack down alongside Don Armand in the second row, with Western Province’s Martin Muller taking a break on the bench.
In other notable changes, Paul Cohen starts in the No.14 jersey, Sharief Hendricks gets a go at scrumhalf and Chris Heiberg will pack down in the No.3 shirt, having impressed all year as an impact player.
Nick Köster, as he continues his return to full fitness, will once again start from the bench.
The FNB UCT team: 15 Tiger Bax, 14 Paul Cohen, 13 Mark Esterhuizen, 12 Marcel Brache, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Matt Rosslee (vice-captain), 9 Sharief Hendricks, 8 Yaya Hartzenberg, 7 Jody Burch, 6 Zandy Macdonald, 5 Bodo Sieber (captain), 4 Don Armand, 3 Chris Heiberg, 2 Hanyani Shimange, 1 Ashley Wells.
Replacements: 16 Mark Goosen, 17 Dylan Rogers, 18 Martin Muller, 19 Nick Köster, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Sean van Tonder, 22 Pete Haw.
Date: Friday, May 14
Kick-off: 9pm
Venue: Green Mile (Groote Schuur, Cape Town)
