Griquas coach Pote Human has gone against consistency and rung the changes again to his Currie Cup team for their clash against the Lions in Johannesburg on Friday.
rugbyweek
Griquas have yet to win a game after coming up short against the Blue Bulls, Western Province and Free State Cheetahs, and now travel to Johannesburg where they meet the defending champions.
Human has included flank Marnus Schoeman in the starting line-up and has dropped Justin Downey – who has struggled during the opening weeks of the tournament – to the replacement bench.
Schoeman was one of Griquas’ stalwarts in this year’s Vodacom Cup and was unlucky not to feature in the final, after he dislocated his shoulder in the semi-final.
“Marnus had played a major role in the Vodacom Cup and we are glad to have a fetcher back in our team,” Human said.
“He partners with Wesley Wilkins and Leon Karemaker and we are looking forward to seeing that combination in action against the Lions.”
Human also opted to drop new Blue Bulls recruit Stefan Watermeyer from the team altogether and has instead included Jean Stemmet at outside centre.
Scrumhalf Jacques Coetzee also makes way for Marnus Hugo, who made a solid contribution from the bench against the Cheetahs.
“Marnus Hugo has done pretty well from the bench and has shown he can get the ball out quickly from behind the rucks,” Human added.
“He deserves a chance. Jacques still has a job to do and will play a big role as impact player.
“We’ve also brought Matt Rosslee back from the bench after he recovered for a knee injury. It is very exciting to have him back.”
Griquas team:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jannie Boshoff, 13 Jean Stemmet, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Leon Karemaker, 7 Wesley Wilkins, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Ligtoring Landman, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes (Captain), 1 Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Matt Dobson, 17 Ivann Espag, 18 Frikkie Spies, 19 Justin Downey, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Marnitz Boshoff, 22 Matt Rosslee.