Marutlulle's starting chance
FNB UJ hooker Edgar Marutlulle has been promoted to the Golden Lions’ starting XV for Saturday’s Currie Cup clash against the Cheetahs in Johannesburg.
The 22-year-old Varsity Cup stalwart has been pushing for a place in the Lions team for some time now and, after an impressive cameo against the Sharks last weekend, will make his first start in SA’s premier domestic competition.
Marutlulle – an SA Students representative – replaces Martin Bezuidenhout in the No.2 shirt in one of three changes to the Lions pack that started in the 19-48 defeat in Durban.
It’s a great opportunity for the livewire UJ No.2, and – no doubt – an overdue opportunity for him to show his worth at this level.
In another Varsity Cup-related change to the Lions side, Maties loose forward Joshua Strauss – a member of the VC-winning Stellenbosch side earlier this year – gets a chance on the bench, after recently making the move to Jo’burg.
The Golden Lions team: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Doppies la Grange (vice-captain), 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Renaldo Bothma, 5 Franco van der Merwe (captain), 4 George Earle, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Wayne Swart, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Joshua Strauss, 20 JP Joubert, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Jannie Boshoff.
Kick-off: 3pm
