Falcons change for Kimberley trip
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:34
The Falcons will face the Griquas in their Currie Cup Round Nine encounter in Kimberley on Saturday without fullback Johan Jackson and flank Reg Muller, who both suffered hamstring injuries.
They will also field a new halfback combination, after their narrow 29-31 defeat against Boland.
Regular flyhalf Len Olivier is back in the mix and will be partnered by Poerie van Rooyen, who starts his first Currie Cup game at scrumhalf. Van Rooyen replaces Gerrie Odendaal - one of the unsung heroes of the Falcons' season.
Coach Rudy Joubert has made only the one forced change in the pack, opting for the more physical Emile Verster to replace Muller.
The coach waited till Wednesday to finalise his team after the other flank, Warren Perkins, suffered a shoulder injury after an altercation with lock Lungelo Payi at training on Tuesday.
Perkins is the only remaining Perkins brother in the match 22.
Jackson, who played two games at outside centre and one at fullback, will be replaced by the speedy Nicky Kritzinger against the Griquas.
Joubert has opted for a five-forwards-two-backs split on the bench, with converted wing Dean Okkers in the squad as the reserve loose forward. He might well have to cover the wing position as well.
Loosehead prop Rassie van Vuuren retained his place after a sterling performance against Boland, as did Jody Jeneker.
Falcons: 15 Nicky Kritzinger, 14 Dewald Pretorius, 13 Rouan Cloete, 12 Hanno Coetzee (captain), 11 Ernie Kruger, 10 Len Olivier, 9 Poerie van Rooyen, 8 Sean Plaatjies, 7 Emile Verster, 6 Warren Perkins, 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Wouter Moore, 3 Nico Pretorius, 2 Jody Jeneker, 1 Rassie van Vuuren.
Replacements: 16 Frik Venter, 17 Rayno Barnes, 18 Ruhan van Jaarsveld, 19 Doepie du Preez, 20 Dean Okkers, 21 Gerrie
Odendaal, 22 Mpho Matsaung.
Date: Saturday, August 23
Venue: Absa Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Touch judges: Lourens van der Merwe, Archie Sehlako
