|
August 19 - The top try scorer in Varsity Cup history, Lolo Waka, is back in action on Friday night when the University of Johannesburg entertain Union Rugby Club. Waka replaces the top try scorer in the Predator league, Andries Oosthuizen.
Oosthuizen is the find of the competition and has scored 16 tries in Waka’s absence and the latter will have to find his groove to keep the former Monument pupil at bay.
Waka has scored 21 tries in four years of Varsity Cup rugby and is known as a finisher. He will hopefully move on the next level after the current club season.
The UJ’s other winger, Wigan Pekeur, is in second place in the league with 13 tries and it testament to UJ’s style that their wingers are the top try-scorers.
There is also a rare start for the Klerksdorp hooker Jacques Gnade which makes his first start in the big league while lock Marius Jordaan packs down next to David Bullbring.
Regular captain Justin Wheeler is one a few regulars that are rested and will start from the bench. If all goes well, they won’t take the field.
Union has improved beyond recognition this season but there is still enough quality in this UJ side to keep rolling on.
UJ vs. Union: Aubrey MacDonald; Wigan Pekeur, Juffrou Vermeulen, Luan Steenkamp, Lolo Waka; Divan van Zyl, Danny Botha; Quintin Minnaar, Thulip Marole, Biscuit van Deventer, David Bullbring, Marius Jordaan, Jaco Vermeulen, Jacques Gnade, Roché van der Westhuizen. Reserves: Edgar Marutlulle, Caylib Oosthuizen, Shane Kirkwood, Justin Wheeler, Jacques Pretorius, André Smith, Andries Oosthuizen
Rustenburg Impala will travel to Pirates on Friday night without their chief cook and bottlewasher, flyhalf Willie Kok, their ace kicker and flyhalf who has suffered a hamstring injury.
Kok is amongst the top scorers in the Predator league and a vital cog in the Impala system but his absence could also have a positive spin on the side.
His replacement Donovan Arendse is an attacking and accomplished player which teams up well with scrumhalf Jermaine Appollis.
Appollis and number eight Nelis Nel are Impala’s stand-out players this season and much of their success centres around the eight-nine combination.
They have suffered another setback with lock forward Janus Beukes out with flu but again, his replacement Hennie Kilian as an accomplished player who add other values to the side.
Coach Chris Buitendach prides himself on his tight five but Impala is not a one-dimensional team and these backs could score from anywhere.
Fullback Dumisani Matyeshana is a well-balanced runner with great speed and kill and he can add an extra attacking dimension to the team.
It also augers well for Impala that they have included five players of colour – all there on merit – in their team for this clash in Johannesburg.
Impala vs. Pirates: Dumisani Matyeshana; Itumeleng Mogotsi, Dwayne Jordaan, JL Wilson, Nathan Fourie; Donovan Arendse, Jermaine Appollis; Nelis Nel, Marius Weber, Henro Huyser, Jackie du Toit, Hennie Kilian, Flippie Pienaar, Louis Hollemby ©, Reinhard Steenkamp.
Pirates aim to finish the season with a bang in the next few weeks and lay a solid foundation for next year when they meet Rustenburg Impala at Greenside on Friday night.
One of the regular faces, the big winger Jason Kobrowisky, is back in the mix for the final stretch and will return for next season. The youngest Kobrowisky has played very little rugby this season due to injury and work commitments.
The veteran Ryan Neyt dons the flyhalf jersey for the Impala game and is a more than able replacement for Blake Dismore who turned an ankle a few weeks ago.
Coach Neil Kalify has named an impressive selection with a settled pack of forwards and perhaps the best backs in recent times. Toy Prinsloo is a real force in midfield and with Kobrowisky and Warren Steyn at his sides he is no longer a lone ranger at the back.
The tight five is a ettled combination and they will have to be at their best to beat Impala who pride themselves on their forwards dominating, particularly at scrumtime.
Pirates are also playing for pride. They are currently in seventh place on the Predator log nad a loss against Impala could see them move down to eighth place to the second last position.
Friday night is not only about saving some face this season but also to kick-start the next one.
Pirates vs. Impala: Jarred Hettema; Jason Kobrowisky, Toy Prinsloo, Warren Steyn, Neil Hannibal-Smith; Ryan Neyt, Chris Christodoulou; Richard Prinsloo, Brandon Hughes, Andrew Wilkins ©, Coenie Viljoen, Louwtjie de Jongh, Dave de Oliveira, Chris Derby, Chris Ndobe.
• The match between Wits and Alberton was cancelled due to cable theft at Alberton rugby stadium.
|
