UCT keep the faith for Bay battle
The Ikeys Tigers’ brainstrust have kept faith with the team that dealt with Victorians last week for Saturday’s Western Province Super League clash against old foes, False Bay, at Groote Schuur (kick-off 4pm).
False Bay are one of the form teams in the 2010 Super League, having beaten National Club champions Hamilton’s a few weeks ago, and UCT will not take them lightly.
The students, meanwhile, drew their opening fixture against Helderberg a fortnight ago, before smashing Vics 50-20 at the Green Mile last Saturday and that same UCT XV will take on False Bay this weekend.
In the only change to the UCT bench – from last week – Sam Peter replaces Greg Mallett in the No.19 shirt – with No.8 Nick Fenton-Wells once again in charge and the likes of experienced forwards Bodo Sieber (lock) and Enoch Panya (flank) fronting up for the home side.
There will be some familiar faces amongst the opposition, too, however; with former Varsity Cup prop Herbie Mayosi now a ‘Bay Man’ and lock Lungelo Payi lining up, possibly, with the likes of Graham Knoop and Justin van Winkel – both of whom are also former Ikeys players.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s battle, UCT head coach John Dobson told varsitycup.co.za: “I played in a few UCT-False Bay games in my time and they have always been fiercely-contested matches.
“We’re expecting nothing less this weekend and are determined to come away with a victory – especially at home.”
Away from the actual rugby, UCT have plenty planned – in terms of social activity – for Saturday, with the pub open and a live DJ operating from the field in what will be a full day of rugby.
The UCT team (v False Bay): 15 Marcel Brache, 14 Paul Cohen, 13 Mark Estherhuizen, 12 Sean van Tonder, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Matt Rosslee (vice-captain), 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nick Fenton-Wells (captain), 7 Enoch Panya, 6 Zandy Macdonald, 5 Bodo Sieber, 4 Don Armand, 3 Grant Kemp, 2 Mark Goosen, 1 Wes Chetty.
Replacements: 16 Matt Page, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Levi Odendaal, 19 Sam Peter, 20 Sharief Hendricks, 21 Pete Haw, 22 Zubayr Abrahams.
Saturday’s fixtures at the Green Mile:
UCT MC Marais XV v Rangers 4, Groote Schuur C – 1.25pm
UCT Ish Dramat XV v False Bay 3, Groote Schuur A – 1.35pm
UCT Eagles XV v False Bay 2, Groote Schuur A – 2.45pm
UCT Moss XV v Helderberg 4, CT Morkel B – 2.45pm
UCT U20 A1 v False Bay U20, Groote Schuur B – 2.45pm
UCT First XV v False Bay, Groote Schuur A – 4pm