UJ pack gets an overhaul
FNB UJ will field a rather new-look pack of forwards on Monday when they play the Pukke in an FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International fixture in Potchefstroom.
Head coach Hugo van As has made four changes to the pack that went down 10-43 to the FNB Maties earlier this week. All four changes, however, have been brought upon by circumstances outside Van As’s control.
Quintin Minnaar (No.8) is injured, whilst Justin Wheeler (flank), David Bulbring (lock) and Wayne Swart (tighthead prop) have all been included in the Lions’ Vodacom Cup squad. The Young Lions – as the Lions’ Vodacom Cup team is known – start their 2010 campaign on February 27 when they host the Leopards at Coca-Cola Park.
Minnaar, Wheeler, Bulbring and Swart have been replaced by Hennie Kilian, Wiehan Roos, Marnes van Huyssteen and Clint van Niekerk, respectively, in the UJ starting XV.
Whilst his changes up front have been forced, Van As has made two changes to his backline; one of which is very interesting – in the flyhalf position.
Stalwart André Smith, who for so long has pulled the UJ playmaking strings from No.10, has been replaced by Ryno Luus – the top points-scorer in the 2008 Varsity Cup.
The other backline change is on the right-wing, where Bernado Botha takes over from Aubrey McDonald.
Botha will look to combine strongly with ace fullback Earl Lewis and No.11 Lola Waka, who has been in good try-scoring form since moving to Johannesburg from Potch. This match, of course, will be a big encounter for him against his old teammates.
The FNB UJ team: 15 Earl Lewis, 14 Bernado Botha, 13 Clinton de Klerk (captain), 12 Luhan Steenkamp, 11 Lola Waka, 10 Ryno Luus, 9 Jaco Snyman, 8 Hennie Kilian, 7 Wiehan Roos, 6 JP Janse van Rensburg, 5 Marnes van Huyssteen, 4 Martyn Lombard, 3 Clint van Niekerk, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 2 KP du Plessis.
Replacements: 16 Brett Claassen, 17 JP Olivier, 18 Jaco Claasen, 19 Corné Cordier, 20 Rinus Riekert, 21 Danny Botha, 22 André Smith, 23 Aubrey McDonald.
Date: Monday, February 22
Venue: Fanie du Toit Stadium
Kick-off: 6.30pm
Referee: Matt Kemp
By Morris Gilbert
