New Ikeys get Stormers chance
FNB UCT head coach John Dobson has announced a strong team – including a host of new faces – for Saturday’s pre-season friendly clash against the Stormers in Riebeek West.
With Varsity Cup veterans Pete Haw, Marcello Sampson, Matt Rosslee, Stu Commins, Don Armand and Ash Wells all starting for the Men in Blue and White, it is also an exciting opportunity for the new faces in the Ikeys team.
Doug Mallett (pictured, right), the son of former Springbok coach Nick, will wear the No.10 shirt – with Rosslee starting at inside centre – whilst he will be joined in the backline by fellow Varsity Cup greenhorns; centre Marcel Brache and winger Paul Cohen.
Up front, Nick Fenton-Wells and Dayne Jans are in their second year of Varsity Cup rugby, whilst the interesting name on the UCT teamsheet is that of former NMMU ace André Goosen, who has been named in the No.7 shirt.
Goosen – a powerful loose forward in the mould of Bulls and Bok ace Pierre Spies – has fitted in superbly since making the move to Cape Town and he will be joined by fellow ‘debutants’ Michael Morris (flank), Levi Odendaal (lock) and tighthead prop Chris Heiberg in the Ikeys pack.
Dobson has named an enlarged bench – including well-known Varsity Cup players like hooker Mark Goosen, lock Mike Ledwidge (who returns from a serious back injury), scrumhalf Kyle Wickins and fullback Therlow Pietersen – last season’s Varsity Cup Back of the Tournament.
Hooker Matt Page, loose forward Greg Mallett and winger Jannie Bester have all graduated from UCT’s Under-21 ranks, whilst Nic Groom – the starting WP Under-20 scrumhalf last year – will help add some significant depth at halfback for the Ikeys this year.
Dobson told varsitycup.co.za: “We really are looking forward to tomorrow – there is a whole vibe in the Riebeek Valley about this game at Alan Zondagh’s amazing RPC.
“Unfortunately, given the physicality of this game – the Stormers players are on trial and it is a very, very physical backline we are up against – we cannot risk anything, but our best conditioned players. As a result we have to let those with niggles sit out.”
The UCT coach, who will go up against his former backline assistant – and great pal – Robbie Fleck on Saturday, is grateful to the Stormers for once again agreeing to this annual fixture.
“We hope to give them some meaningful opposition,” he said, before adding with a huge grin: “It is weird to coach against Fleckie, but at least I know how mentally fragile he is!”
The Ikey Tigers team:
15 Pete Haw
14 Marcello Sampson
13 Marcel Brache
12 Matt Rosslee
11 Paul Cohen
10 Doug Mallett
9 Stu Commins (captain)
8 Nick Fenton-Wells
7 André Goosen
6 Michael Morris
5 Levi Odendaal
4 Don Armand
3 Chris Heiberg
2 Dayne Jans
1 Ashley Wells
Replacements:
16 Mark Goosen
17 Matt Page
18 Wes Chetty
19 Grant Kemp
20 Mike Ledwidge
21 Pallo Manuel
22 Greg Mallett
23 Nic Groom
24 Kyle Wickins
25 Jannie Bester
26 Therlow Pietersen
Kick-off: 10am
