FNB NWU Eagles will host FNB Madibaz tonight @ 19h00 t the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Potchefstroom with only pride to play for.
NWU Eagles did not have a successful season as in 2021 and are no more able to qualify for this years' semi-finals. The Eagles once again narrowly lost last week, this time to Maties (20-12). The Madibaz is in a crazy race to avoid the relegation sword that is hanging over its head, unfortunately, needing a minimum of twenty-three log points in the three remaining games the Madibaz will be relegated. Madibaz lost to the visiting UJ (09-24) last week.
Eight changes in total were made to the starting line-up of the NWU Eagles side. Keano Windvogel is replaced by Pienaar van Niekerk at wing while Theunis Pretorius replace Tino Swanepoel at outside centre with Swanepoel being moved to the wing. Martin Venter and Sylvester Hassien are the new halfback pairing,.makes up the four changes at the back. Up front, only Chris Vermaak survived the cut at the loosies while Marvelous Mashimbyi replaces Wihan Nel at lock. In the fourth change, Vernon Paulo is the new face at hooker.
The Madibaz also changed eight in their starting line-out. Kholiwe Khonza at wing and Siphosethu Dlongodlongo at flyhalf are the two new faces at the back. Up front only captain Arnouw Nel and lock Dylan Halgreen escaped the cut.
FNB NWU Eagles – 15 Heinrich Botha, 14 Pienaar van Niekerk, 13 Theunis Pretorius, 12 Seita Phatudi, 11 Tino Swanepoel, 10 Martin Venter, 9 Sylvester Hassien, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Kagiso Woodbridge, 6 Chris Vermaak, 5 Ruben Dreyer, 4 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 3 Sampie Swiegers (c), 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Ruben du Plessis. Replacements: 16 Chyle van Zyl, 17 Jason Jansen, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Wihan Nel, 20 André Fouché, 21 Riaan Genis, 22 Nivan Petersen, 23 Keenan Twigg.
FNB Madibaz – 15 Kyle Cyster, 14 Jade Stoffels, 13 Reese Cambier, 12 Troy Delport, 11 Kholiwe Khonza, 10 Siphosethu Dlongodlongo, 9 Anovuyo Moyikwa, 8 Arnouw Nel (c), 7 Leon van der Merwe, 6 Alwaba Bobelo, 5 Terrance Siyaya, 4 Dylan Halgreen, 3 Marco Nortje, 2 Ruan Jonker, 1 Endinako Kuse. Replacements: 16 Kyle Erasmus, 17 Likhona Dywili, 18 Aqhamile Limba, 19 Umna Tokwe, 20 Siphelo Sanyinyi, 21 Wayne Moss, 22 Brandt Fields, 23 Lennox Holster.