NovaVit Griffons will host the Windhoek Draught Griquas on Saturday in Welkom at the Down Touch Investments Stadium, Welkom at 13h00.
The NovaVit Griffons have improved steadily throughout the season and have claimed bonus points from their recent losses to DHL WP and the Airlink Pumas.
Windhoek Draught Griquas will need to be at their best if they are going to secure valuable log points from the visit to Welkom this Saturday. A big win for the men from Kimberley may be enough to earn them a place in the top four – providing that other results go their way.
Windhoek Draught Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh made three injury-forced changes to his starting lineup.
Up front, Sean Swart replaces Janco Uys at hooker while Justin Forwood replaces Janu Botha at tighthead. Luther Obi replaces Sako Makata at the wing in the only change at the back.
Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh said that the Griffons have shown that they belong in this competition.
“With a bit more luck they could’ve easily won more matches. I think coming back from 0-25 down against Western Province to almost winning that game just shows what they are about especially at home.
“We have always struggled in Welkom when we played friendlies, so it’s going to be a tough game.
“They are a very well-coached team. They have a very powerful maul, big ball carriers and are dangerous at the breakdown. They do pose a massive challenge.
“So we have to pitch up and be mentally ready for the match because we can’t look at the log and think it’s going to be easy.”
Teams:
NovaVit Griffons: 15 Duren Hoffman, 14 Granwill Matthys, 13 Keanu Vers, 12 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 11 Domenic Smit, 10 Duan Pretorius, 9 Jaywinn Juries , 8 Jean Pretorius, 7 Thomas Ongera, 6 Thato Mavundla, 5 Michael Benadie, 4 Rian Olivier, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Hendrik van Schoor, 1 Stephan de Jager. Replacements: 16 Chadley Wenn, 17 Xolani Jacobs, 18 Buhle Nojekwa, 19 Wikus Nieuwenhuis, 20 Curtly Thomas, 21 Sokuphumla Xakalashe, 22 Jandre De Beer, 23 Randy Fielies,
Windhoek Draught Griquas: 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 Jay-Cee Nel, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Carl Els, 7 Hanru Sirgel (captain), 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Dylan Sjöblom, 3 Justin Forwood, 2 Sean Swart, 1 Kudzwai Dube. Replacements: 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Cebo Dlamini, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Stephan Smit, 21 Reagan Oranje, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Sango Xamlashe.