Griquas axe Emerging Bok
Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:36
Griquas axed scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius.
Griquas coach Dawie Theron has dropped a bomb on his team by axing Emerging Springbok scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius.
The 26-year-old scrumhalf, who played for the Emerging Boks in 2008 and was on the verge of Bok selection last year before an injury disrupted his season, has been told to "get some perspective".
Griquas play the Lions in an important Currie Cup match in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Just one point separates the two sides - the Lions, on 25 points in fifth place, and Griquas, 24 - on the standings, with the Blue Bulls just three points ahead of them and a play-off place very much at stake.
The shock axing of the talented scrumhalf, who was a regular starter for the Cheetahs in the Super 14 and also played for the Royal XV against the British & Irish Lions last year, may well just be the spark that helps the Kimberley-based outfit bounce back from three consecutive defeats.
Theron admitted he axed Pretorius to shake up the scrumhalf, who appears to have dropped off the expected standards.
"Sarel is a brilliant player, but he is trying too hard at present," Theron told the Afrikaans daily, Volksblad.
"It will be good for him to get some perspective," the coach added.
Pretorius promised to bounce back. "I will remain loyal to Griquas and will give my all to my teammates," Pretorius told the newspaper.
"My goal is to help Griquas reach the play-offs."
Marnus Hugo will start in the No.9 jersey on Saturday, with Pretorius on the bench.
Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Rocco Jansen, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Naas Olivier (captain), 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Johan van Deventer, 5 Cecil Kemp, 4 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 3 Jean Botha, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Edwin Hewitt, 19 Burger Schoeman, 20
Sarel Pretorius, 21 Jean Stemmet/Richard Lawson, 22 Rudi Vogt.
Date: Saturday, September 11
Venue: Coca Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, Madel de Villiers
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