Same again Pukke for semifinals
FNB Pukke head coach Rudy Joubert has named an unchanged starting line-up for Monday’s FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International semifinal clash at UCT.
Joubert has kept the exact same starting XV that beat the Ikeys 17-13 in a league match in Potchefstroom earlier this week, but there is one adjustment on the bench; with Marcel du Toit coming in for Dewan Eckard in jersey No.21.
Of course, the Pukke are still without experienced front-ranker Jaco Koch – who is out for at least four weeks – but they will once again call upon powerhouse loosehead prop BG Uys who gave the UCT scrum a torrid time at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds earlier this week.
Looking back to Monday afternoon’s game, Joubert told varsitycup.co.za: “I thought we played some pretty decent rugby.
“One has to give Ikeys credit for being one of the best teams in the competition and any win against them is a good one.”
Joubert, however, will be hoping for one more win over this dangerous Ikey Tigers side; as that victory would secure them a first-ever Varsity Cup Final appearance.
FNB Pukke: 15 Willem Barnard, 14 Andrew Van Wyk, 13 Wenstley Scott, 12 Wouter Watermeyer, 11 Lolo Waka, 10 Cecil Dumond, 9 Andries Mahoney, 8 Willem van der Wal (captain), 7 Savvas Nel, 6 Jaco Lötter, 5 Markus Fourie, 4 Grant le Roux, 3 Stephan Bezuidenhout, 2 Stoffel Duvenage, 1 BG Uys.
Replacements: 16 Dewald Coetzee, 17 Lourens Botes, 18 Victor Kruger, 19 Thabo Molete, 20 Theuns Kotzé, 21 Marcel du Toit, 22 Randall April.
Head coach: Rudy Joubert
Assistant coaches: Attie Strauss, Mervyn Taylor
Kick-off: Monday, March 23, 4.45pm – Groote Schuur (Cape Town)
