Griquas looking for second big scalp
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:08
Griquas go into their fifth round Currie Cup fixture against the Lions at Absa Park, Kimberley, on Saturday afternoon with two injury-enforced changes to their starting line-up.
Centre Jaco Bekker who has a groin injury has been replaced by Lafras Uys, while forceful flank Frans Viloen has been replaced by Gareth Krause, one of Griquas' stand-out players against Western Province (WP).
Frans Viloen broke his arm during the early stages of Griquas surprise one-point victory over the Cape Town side in Kimberley last Saturday.
Griquas' Vodacom Cup captain Hans van Dyk returns from injury as reserve hooker while utility forward Rohan Kitshoff has been moved from reserve hooker onto the flank as loose forward back-up.
The Lions, who were very impressive in their 57-17 demolition of the Boland Cavaliers at Ellis Park last weekend, will start as the pre-match favourites.
Griquas for their part will need to play as least as well as they did against Western Province if they seriously hope to challenge for the match honours.
But if they are again able to play as well as a unit as they did against WP, and flyhalf Conrad Barnard shows considerably improved kicking form, they are quite capable of causing the Lions camp some very anxious moments.
Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Eagon Seconds, 13 Lafras Uys, 12 Herkie Kruger (captain), 11 Gavin Passens, 10 Conrad Barnard, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Heinrich Stride, 7 Stephan Gerber, 6 Gareth Krause, 5 Jacques Lombaard, 4 Wayne van Heerden, 3 Ruaan du Preez, 2 James van der Walt, 1 Albertus Buckle.
Replacements: 16 Bees van Dyk, 17 Steph Roberts, 18 Cilliers Coetzer, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Tobie Botes, 21 Jaco Bekker/Bjorn Basson, 22 MJ Mentz.
Date: Saturday, July 19
Venue: Absa Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee:
Christie du Preez
Touch judges: Lourens van der Merwe, Marc van Zyl
TMO: Johann Meuwesen
Assessor: Neville Heilbron
SAPA
