Preview: First Division, Round One
Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:45
The 2009 Absa First Division kicks off in the Eastern Cape on Friday, when the Mighty Elephants hosts the Border Bulldogs at the Central Grounds Complex in Uitenhage at 19.00.
Both teams suffered heavy defeats during their respective pre-season compulsory Friendly fixtures. The Mighty Elephants suffered a 10-72 defeat to Western Province in Port Elizabeth, while the Border Bulldogs were held scoreless during their 0-55 loss to the Blue Bulls in East London.
The Border Bulldogs side that will host the Elephants include two of their new signings for the season - former Griquas No.8 Gareth Krause, who will captain the East London team and former Western Province Under-21 wing Ghafoer Luckan.
Also making a welcome return to the Border team is centre is Thabo Ratyana, while the Bulldogs' other new signings, Clifford Hodgson and Morne Adams are at flyhalf and scrumhalf respectively.
"We are really looking forward to the Currie Cup Premier Division and we would like to have a good start to the competition," said Border Bulldogs coach David Maidza.
"The Mighty Elephants will not be pushovers and our guys no they will have to be at the top of their game in order to get a positive result this weekend."
In the other Currie Cup First Division fixture of the weekend, the Falcons, who were relegated last season from the Premier Division, hosts the Griffons in Kempton Park at 17.05 on Saturday.
The Griffons boasts a team with a strong backline with the likes of Springbok Sevens star Fabian Juries and former Free State Cheetahs wing Eddie Fredericks, selected in the starting line-up.
Veteran Currie Cup flyhalf Kennedy Tsimba is also in action for the Griffons and will wear the No.10 jersey.
The Falcons have included Zimbabwean international Wensley Mbanje, who represented the Union Rugby Club in Johannesburg.
First Division teams:
Mighty
Elephants: 15 Carl Bezuidenhout, 14 Luvuyo Mhlobiso, 13 Alfonso Pietersen, 12 Siviwe Magaba, 11 Willie Esterhuizen, 10 Johan van Niekerk, 9 Marlon Lewis, 8 Michael Vermaak (captain), 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Elroy Ligman, 5 Willie Bower, 4 Andries Smit, 3 Ayanda Nogampula, 2 Robert Dyer, 1 Pumlani Nodikida.
Replacements: 16 Herkie Liebenberg, 17 Raoul Larson, 18 Ruahan van Jaarsveld, 19 Lubabalo Mzwakali, 20 Chad Erskine, 21 Simeon Geldenhuys, 22 Ryan Brown.
Border Bulldogs: 15 Reinhard Gerber, 14 Ghafoer Luckan, 13 Thabo Ratyana, 12 Jeffrey Taljaard, 11 Loloyanga Waka, 10 Clifford Hodgson, 9 Morne Adams, 8 Gareth Krause (captain), 7 Solmzi Tyibilika, 6 Bernard le Roux, 5 Samora Fihlani, 4 Andries Kruger, 3 Patrick Mulamba, 2 Matthew Taljard, 1 Buhle Mxunyelwa.
Replacements: 16 Greg van Jaarsveld, 17 Lonwabo Mtimka, 18 Sebastian Hilpert, 19 Dumisani Meslane, 20 Yongama Mkaza, 21 Thembani Mkokeli, 22 Zinikho
Dumaphi.
Falcons: 15 Tsepo Kokoali, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Franco Booysen, 12 Corné Uys, 11 Wensley Mbanje, 10 Gido Horn, 9 Ryno Hendrikz, 8 Johannes de Bruin (captain), 7 Bradley Fortuin, 6 Reg Muller, 5 Tian Fick, 4 Hendrick Knoetze, 3 Lourens Grobler, 2 Andries Hefer, 1 Charl du Plessis.
Replacements: 16 Tango Gatya, 17 Jaques George, 18 Martin Lombard, 19 Yves Bashiya, 20 Elvandre Maart, 21 Clinton Kayser/ Theo Rhodes, 22 Dieter de la Port.
Griffons: 15 Fabian Juries, 14 Darryl Coeries, 13 Eddie Fredericks, 12 Werner Griesel, 11 Shane Hancke, 10 Kennedy Tsimba, 9 Enrico Schultz, 8 Nicky Steyn (captain), 7 Marnus Briedenhann, 6 Albert Parsons, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Windpomp van Rooyen, 3 Sewes Oosthuizen, 2 Ashley Johnson, 1 Petros Methula.
Replacements: 16 Hercholl Johnson, 17 Kevin Stevens, 18 Sandile India, 19 Shaun Botha, 20 Albert Slabbert, 21 Tiaan van Wyk, 22 Tertuis
Maarman.
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