UJ choose for Impalas battle
FNB UJ head coach Hugo van As has rested a number of his first-choice players for Saturday’s Pirates Grand Challenge clash against Impalas.
SA Universities hooker Edgar Maruthule will start on the bench, whilst regular skipper Clinton de Klerk gets a complete break.
Powerhouse prop Clint van Niekerk will lead the side in De Klerk’s absence and he will rely on the likes of Varsity Cup regulars, lock Rob Andrew, loose forwards Torrie Meyer and Sisa Mafu and winger Oscar Mfundise.
Saturday’s match will take place in Rustenberg, with UJ no doubt keen to add to their 54-34 first-round victory over the self-same Impalas.
Of course, the star of that match for the University of Johannesburg was none other than fleet-footed fullback Earl Lewis.
Lewis, who will make his Currie Cup debut for the Lions against the Blue Bulls on Saturday, scored two tries and kicked six conversions and one penalty goal for a match-haul of 25 points.
The UJ team: 15 Ryno Luus, 14 Deon Assegaai, 13 Edrick van Tonder, 12 JJ Pienaar, 11 Oscar Mfundisi, 10 Arno Coetzee, 9 Wella Samuels, 8 Sisa Mafu, 7 Henry Coleman, 6 Torrie Meyer, 5 Rob Andrew, 4 Lehan Koekemoer, 3 Clint van Niekerk (captain), 2 Thys de Villiers, 1 JP Olivier.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Maruthule, 17 Zander Swart, 18 Martin Lombard, 19 Julian Erasmus, 20 Hennie Killian, 21 Colin van Staden, 22 Justin St. Jerry.
