Ikeys aiming for another five points
The Ikey Tigers, fresh off their 42-23 win over Villager’s last week, will head into tonight’s WP Super League clash against NNK hoping to make it a staggering four bonus point wins in a row.
Since losing to ‘Durbel’ some three weeks ago, FNB UCT have claimed a hat-trick of bonus point victories; scoring an impressive 143 points, whilst conceding just 47 along the way.
Acting UCT head coach Kevin Foote has wisely – once again – kept the changes to a minimum, but with second row giant Michael Passaportis out sick, Don Armand being rested (on the bench) and Dane Galley struggling with a slight knock, Pallo Manuel has been handed his first team debut in the No.5 jersey.
Another youngster, hooker Matthew Page, will start in the No.2 shirt with Hanyani Shimange (Western Province Currie Cup) and Dayne Jans (WP Under-21) on representative duty and Mark Goosen still injured.
Stalwart prop Herbie Mayosi is back from injury to take his place on the bench, whilst Under-20 star Greg Mallett (loose forward) looks set to join his cousin Doug Mallett (pictured, above) in the first team ranks after being named on the bench.
The backs are largely unchanged, with Rob Hopwood back on the left-wing for an injured Marcello Sampson and Doug Mallett and Matthew Rosslee once again pulling the playmaking strings at flyhalf and inside centre, respectively.
“We’re simply looking to play to our strengths and keep gaining momentum in the process,” acting coach Foote told varsitycup.co.za.
“We have taken 15 points from a possible 15 in our last three matches; our goal is to take (another) five this evening.”
UCT are currently in fourth place on the WP Super League log with 42 points from 13 matches.
The third-placed SK Walmers, with 50 points, have played 18 matches already – meaning the Ikeys have a very realistic chance of finishing the 2009 season in third position.
The UCT team: 15 Therlow Pietersen, 14 James Martin, 13 Dave Edgar, 12 Matthew Rosslee (vice-captain), 11 Rob Hopwood, 10 Doug Mallett, 9 Stu Commins, 8 Sam Peter, 7 Craig Kleu, 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 5 Pallo Manuel, 4 Bodo Sieber (captain), 3 Dylan Rogers, 2 Matthew Page, 1 Ashley Wells.
Replacements: 16 Wes Chetty, 17 Herbie Mayosi, 18 Don Armand, 19 Greg Mallett, 20 Sean van Tonder, 21 Justin Bijl, 22 Freddie Strange.
Kick-off: 9pm, Jan Burger Stadium (Parow)
* Above picture courtesy of Peter van As.
