Joubert tweaks Pukke line-up
Wily FNB Pukke coach Rudy Joubert has made a few minor adjustments to his team’s starting line-up for Monday’s top-of-the-log Varsity Cup clash against the defending champion Maties.
The second-placed Pukke, last year’s losing finalists, need to win this match to stay ahead of UCT on the log – and therby claim a home semifinal – otherwise they could once again be forced to make the trip to Cape Town for an FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International semifinal.
Looking ahead to Monday’s clash against the unbeaten Maties, Joubert has re-introduced winger Dane Johnson into his 23-man squad, with Muhammed Shuaib Samaai dropping out completely after just one appearance, and Ghafoer Luckan starting in the No.14 shirt.
Up front, Joubert has once again not picked his early-season skipper Dirco Rautenbach, with hooker Stoffel Duvenage leading the team and Francois Robbertse continuing in the No.4 lock position.
In other changes to the normally-powerful Pukke pack, Thabo Molete is back at No.7, with Siya Mdaka shifting across to No.6 in place of Savvas Nel who is not in the matchday 23 this week.
The final change up front sees strongman Stephanus Bezuidenhout replace Johan Coetzee in the No.3 jersey – the home side no doubt likely to attempt an assault on the Maties pack come Monday.
The FNB Pukke team: 15 Theuns Kotzé, 14 Ghafoer Luckan, 13 Ruan Jacobs, 12 Wouter Watermeyer, 11 Johannes Seerane, 10 Neill Jacobs, 9 Andries Mahoney, 8 PJ van Zyl, 7 Thabo Molete, 6 Siya Mdaka, 5 Markus Fourie, 4 Francois Robbertse, 3 Stephanus Bezuidenhout, 2 Stoffel Duvenage (captain), 1 BG Uys.
Replacements: 16 BW van Dyk, 17 Dewald Coetzee, 18 Edwin Hewitt, 19 Jaco Lötter, 20 Janis Terblanche, 21 Willem Barnard, 22 Dane Johnson, 23 Johan Coetzee.
Head coach: Rudy Joubert
Date: Monday, March 15
Venue: Fanie du Toit Stadium
Kick-off: 4.30pm (Live on SuperSport One)
Referee: Ben Crouse
