Nyeka back for Wooden Spoon finale
Lutho Nyeka, known for his organising skills in the FNB TUT Vikings midfield, is back in the selection mix ahead of Monday’s Varsity Cup ‘Wooden Spoon Final’ against FNB NMMU.
Nyeka’s return from injury is one of three changes to the team that started against FNB Pukke in last week’s FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International action – a game that TUT lost 17-51.
Hansie Graaff, who replaced Nyeka at centre, is back at fullback which means that Adillio Coutriers will warm the bench again.
In the pack, Wikus Botes has recovered from flu and takes over at No.8 from Ryno Lopes.
FNB Vikings assistant coach Jimmy Watt told varsitycup.co.za that Nyeka’s return was very important as “he is our main midfield organiser”.
“With him out of action we were forced to play Hansie out of position, which I believe is a disservice to any player. As the match against NMMU is as good as a final for us and them, it is good to know that Lutho will be back to take the reigns.”
Watt added that he had been encouraged by the training sessions at TUT this week. “We really trained well and it was evident from the urgency and no-nonsense approach at every session that the players realise how important a win is on Monday.”
The FNB TUT Vikings team: 15 Hansie Graaff, 14 Johan Swartz, 13 Simphiwe Mtkulu, 12 Lutho Nyeka, 11 Thabo Motau, 10 Jaco Oosthuizen, 9 Manny Raposo, 8 Wikus Botes, 7 Emile Verster (captain), 6 Vincent Gwavu, 5 Dewald van Deventer, 4 Johan Steenkamp, 3 Braam van der Merwe, 2 Dean Muir, 1 Juan Pike.
Replacements: 16 Alfred Khoza, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Werner Lourens, 19 Ryno Lopes, 20 Theunis Schoeman, 21 Adillio Coutriers, 22 Ruan van Loo, 23 Marco van Deventer.
Head coach: Alex de Kock
Assistant coach: Jimmy Watt
Date: Monday, March 15
Venue: TUT Stadium
Kick-off: 6.30pm
Referee: Bongani Maloni
By Morris Gilbert
