Gagiano, Stevens in EP line-up
2010 Varsity Cup stars, Ikeys stalwart JJ Gagiano and Shimlas centre Wayne Stevens, will face up to the Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon.
Stevens – who captained the Shimlas this past season – has officially joined the Mighty Elephants for the 2010 Currie Cup season, whilst Gagiano is on trial in Port Elizabeth for the next fortnight.
Joining Gagiano (pictured) on the bench is another former Varsity Cup star, the Maties’ Morné Hanekom who played for Griquas after the 2009 tournament, which the Men from Stellenbosch won.
Another ex-Matie, Donald Stevens, the Varsity Cup Player of the Tournament in 2009, will start in the No.9 shirt – having also spent the second half of last season in Kimberley.
Other familiar faces in the Elephants line-up are former Springbok centre De Wet Barry – Stevens’s centre partner – ex-Bulls ace Tiger Mangweni and SA Sevens star Mzwandile Stick who is on the bench alongside Gagiano and Hanekom.
The Mighty Elephants team: 15 Tiger Mangweni, 14 Milo Nqoro, 13 Wayne Stevens, 12 De Wet Barry (captain), 11 Norman Nelson, 10 Matthew Tyler-Smith, 9 Donald Stevens, 8 Darron Nell, 7 Zolani Mofu, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Lungelo Payi, 4 Rory Duncan, 3 Riaan Vermeulen, 2 Sangoni Mxoli, 1 Pumlani Nodikita.
Replacements – from: Bobby Dyer, Raoul Larson, Sphephelo Mayaba, Brendon Snyman, JJ Gagiano, Morné Hanekom, Marlon Lewis, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Mzwandile Stick, Paul Perez.
* Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the Elephants will play in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (one of SA’s ten Soccer World Cup venues) after the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Saturday’s friendly will therefore be their final match at the EPRFU Stadium.
