Griquas call on club lock
Griquas coach Pote Human has included young club lock Patrick O'Brien in his matchday squad for their clash with the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The Peacock Blues face something of a crisis at lock following injuries to stalwarts Ligtoring Landman, Jaco Nepgen and Jonathan Adendorf.
O'Brien, who plays his rugby for Helderberg in the Strand and has been training with Western Province this season, will bolster Griquas in this position.
Landman broke his thumb in the first game against the Sharks in Durban, while Nepgen re-injured his shoulder against Western Province last weekend.
Adendorf was recovering in hospital after he got stabbed in a mugging after the Province game.
"Patrick has just joined us this week, but he looked very good in practice," Human said on Wednesday.
"With our lock-problems we had no other option than to include him on the bench. We are hoping to give him (O'Brien) a chance and look forward to what he can bring," added the Griquas coach.
"From what we hear he is one of the better club players. Now he needs to make the step up from club to Currie Cup level."
Aussie newcomer Rory Arnold will partner with Hilton Lobberts in the second row.
With no other recognised lock remaining, Human invited O'Brien to spend a trial period with Griquas.
Griquas welcome back flank Marnus Schoeman, who fully recovered from a hamstring injury and will play off the bench.
Carel Greeff convincingly covered for Schoeman and, Human admitted there was fierce competition in the side and particularly at flank.
"It is always good when the guys push each other to be the very best," he said.
"Carel had done very good work as a ball fetcher and we are happy with his progress."
That being said, Marnus will add a lot from the bench in a game you can almost be certain will be won or lost amongst the forwards," Human said.
Human will look to talented players such as centre Howard Mnisi and flyhalf Francois Brummer to help tame the Cheetahs.
"We missed out on the victory against Province, but we now target the Cheetahs as a game that we have to win," Human said.
"If we can manage that, it would give us immense momentum for the rest of the competition."
Griquas: 15 PJ Vermeulen, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 JP Nel, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Leon Karemaker, 7 Burger Schoeman, 6 Carel Greeff, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Hilton Lobberts, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Ryno Barnes (captain), 1 Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Matt Dobson, 17 Brummer Badenhorst, 18 Patrick O'Brien, 19 Marnus Schoeman, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Du Randt Gerber, 22 Richard Lawson.
Date: Saturday, August 31
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Francois de Bruin Francois
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee
