FNB Wits will host FNB CUT Ixias in the second round of the 2022 Varsity Cup @ 19h00 in Johannesburg on Monday.
This could be the most exciting fixture of Round 2 of the 2022 Varsity Cup. Wits who are still in the "danger" zone regarding the relegation will want to add another 5 points to put some space between them and the bottom of the log.
Wits will be looking to build on its great start (31-20) against the Madibaz while the Ixias will hope for a better start to their match after the trailed 7-27 against UJ at the end of the first half last weekend. UJ scored a try during the last seconds of the match to secure a 44-44 draw.
Wits made only two changes to their starting line-up. Mark Snyman makes a welcome return to the Wits team replacing Thomas Berman on the side of the scrum, while Ebot Buma replaces Sibusiso Shongwe at tighthead and also was named captain for the night.
Braam van Straten, head coach of CUT Ixias made several changes to his team that drew with UJ a week ago.
Xavier Swartbooi is promoted from the bench where he replaces Tsepo Malumane on the wing. Jandré de Beer moves from outside centre to inside centre to make way for Gian Bester, while Zinedene Booysen is the final change at the back being promoted from the bench to start at scrumhalf.
Upfront Luvuyo Ndevo moves to eightman replacing Ulrich Stander, combining with Francois Bester and Jan Kostze to form the new loosie combination. Ulrich Stander moves to lock replacing Victor Sekele while Albertus Venter replaces Mzisa Thabiso at loosehead.
Teams:
FNB Wits: 15 Setshaba Mokoena, 14 Wian de Lange, 13 Yanga Hlalu, 12 Tiaan Schutte, 11 Azi Afrika, 10 Chris Humphries, 9 Hlumelo Ndudula, 8 Cal Smid, 7 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Edward White, 4 Kyle van Eyssen, 3 Ebot Buma (c), 2 Prince Mulea, 1 Gamhiwa Charles. Replacements: 16 Dagan Meuwese, 17 Jason Cloete, 18 Franco Groenewald, 19 Franz Gerber, 20 Ziyanda Msipha, 21 Wernich Aucamp, 22 Keagan Lailvaux, 23 Luhle Matyolweni.
FNB CUT Ixia: 15 David Cary, 14 Xavier Swartbooi, 13 Gian Bester, 12 Jandré de Beer, 11 Jacquin van Wyk, 10 Floris Brand, 9 Zinedene Booysen, 8 Luvuyo Ndevu (c), 7 Francois Bester, 6 Jan Kotze, 5 Kevin Strydom, 4 Ulrich Stander, 3 Cohen Kiewit, 2 Tiaan Drotske, 1 Albertus Venter. Replacements: 16 Tebogo Masemola, 17 Sisipho Nofuya, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Matthew Sekele, 20 Niel Venter, 21 Teboho Rampai, 22 Christiaan Venter, 23 Septimus Derkesen.