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February 5 – A battle at the breakdown and the two opposing halfback combinations could well hold the key in the clash between the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the University of Pretoria (Tuks) on the opening night of the FNB Varsity Cup competition at Tuks Rugby Stadium on Monday night.
With the excitement of the new season also comes the question: can the title be taken away from the two Western Province sides, Ikeys and Maties, who between them have now won it four times in four competitions? Both FNB UJ and FNB Tuks are determined to do just that – and this clash across the Jukskei will be huge boost for the winners in their quest to win the title.
Tuks, without their two outstanding forwards Warwick Tecklenburg and Arno Botha, who are now both part of the Bulls squad, have selected Okkie Kruger as their openside flank – and his tussle with UJ’s Johan van Deventer at the breakdown promises to be a highlight of this opening clash.
Both Van Deventer and Kruger have Super Rugby experience – and Kruger is also a Springbok Sevens Springbok. He was, by admission of his coach Nollis Marais, included because of the promised strict approach of referees at the breakdown. “His experience on the ground will therefore be of vital importance,” said Marais.
Not that the other loosies – or the tight forwards, for that matter – of the two sides are to be ignored. Supporting Van Deventer there is another experienced campaigner at No 8 in UJ captain Justin Wheeler, who has also played Super Rugby, and with experienced Wendal Wehr at No 7 this is a loose combination not to be taken lightly. Tuks have to of last year’s campaigners Jono Ross and Jacque Verwey to supplement Kruger’s role.
At halfback, UJ will field flyhalf Guy Cronje and and sometimes 2011’s starting scrumhalf Jacques Cronje – and they’ll be up against two experienced campaignes in last year’s Tuks captain and Leopards flyhalf Wesley Dunlop and Blue Bulls scrumhalf Lohan Jacobs, a former national representative at junior level and also member of last year’s Blue Bulls Currie Cup squad. Young he is, but he’s been around the block.
The two teams brim with young stars. UJ finished at the top of last year’s log but were ousted (at home) by Tuks in the semi-final. The home side, on the other hand, will still be smarting from throwing away a n healthy lead in the final again the Ikey Tigers.
Although UJ have a few new faces in their starting line-up, they are well-served in the key positions. On paper, at least, they look a more established combination that Tuks. And even at this third tier of South African rugby and taking into account the youth of the players, experience is a valuable asset.
There is of course also the little matter of skill, talent and combination, but in all the UJ outfit looks like a team that could take it a step further this year. It will be a challenge to implement the ‘small things” that they have concentrated in during the off season – and the’re confident, said captain Justin Wheeler, that they have what it takes.
A good start away in the Jukskei derby will go a long way towards that ideal.
The teams are:
FNB UJ: 15 Aubrey McDonald, 14 JR Esterhuizen, 13 Luan Steenkamp, 12 Divan van Zyl, 11 Andries Oosthuizen, 10 Guy Cronjé, 9 Jacques Pretorius, 8 Justin Wheeler (captain), 7 Wendal Wehr, 6 Johan van Deventer, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 4 Shane Kirkwood, 3 Jaco Vermeulen, 2 Francois du Toit, 1 Heinrich Terblanche. Replacements: 16 Shaun Malton, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Marnus van Huyssteen, 19 Dylon Peterson, 20 Rudy Paige, 21 Adrian Vermeulen, 22 Chrysander Botha, 23 Njabulo Mkize.
FNB Tuks: 15 Clayton Blommetjies; 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Jerome Pretorius, 12 Dabeon Draghoender, 11 Hayden Groepes; 10 Wesley Dunlop, 9 Lohan Jacobs; 8 Jono Ross, 7 Jacques Verwey, 6 Okkie Kruger, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Mike Williams, 3 Grant Kemp, 2 Zane Botha (kaptein), 1 Sabelo Nhlapo. Replacements: 16 Jacques Momberg, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Jono Janse van Rensburg, 19 Lean Schwartz, 20 Clayton Stewart, 21 Willie du Plessis, 22 Riaan Britz, 23 Basil Short.
** Other FNB Varsity Cup fixtures this weekend:
FNB UCT v FNB Shimlas (UCT Rugby Fields, Cape Town), 5pm (TV)
FNB Maties v FNB TUT (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch), 7pm
FNB NMMU v FNB Pukke (Xerox NMMU Stadium, Port Elizabeth), 7pm
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