Key man Maartens back for UJ
Star FNB UJ flanker Frikkie Maartens has been named at No.6 for his team’s must-win Varsity Cup league match against NMMU in Port Elizabeth on Monday evening.
Maartens missed his team’s hard-fought 9-3 win over FNB Tukkies this past Monday because of shoulder and hamstring troubles, but he is raring to go this week and he replaces Johan van Deventer in the only change to the UJ XV.
Hennie Killian and Julian Erasmus will partner Maartens in the UJ back row, with Torrie Meyer providing additional cover from the bench. Regular captain and hooker Neil Visagie is still unavailable for selection with a rib injury.
Arno Coetzee, meanwhile, will continue at flyhalf for the Men from Johannesburg who have to beat NMMU in order to have a chance of qualifying for the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International semifinals.
If UJ beat NMMU, and Tuks lose to the Maties in Stellenbosch, then Hugo van As’s team will progress into the semifinals for the first time.
“We have to focus on our remaining game against the ‘Madibas’,” said Van As this week.
“They are a tough side to beat, especially at home, and we certainly won’t underestimate them going there.”
FNB UJ (revised): 15 Earl Lewis, 14 Edrich van Tonder, 13 Clinton de Klerk (captain), 12 JJ Pienaar, 11 Itumeleng Mogotsi, 10 Arno Coetzee, 9 Jaco Snyman, 8 Torrie Meyer, 7 Julian Erasmus, 6 Frikkie Maartens, 5 Andries Nel, 4 Rob Andrew, 3 Clint van Niekerk, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Wayne Swart.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Charl du Plessis, 18 Ronnie Goodman, 19 Justin Wheeler, 20 Whestley Moolman, 21 André Smith, 22 Oscar Mfundisi.
Head coach: Hugo van As
Assistant coaches: E van As, M Masina
Kick-off: Monday, March 16, 6.45pm, Xerox NMMU Stadium, South Campus
