Pumas beware. Charles Louw and Steve Atherton have named the Wildebeest team to contest the opening fixture in this year’s Vodacom Cup competition, kicking of at 14h30 on Saturday in Durban.
The tight five is an impressive one, comprising Namibian international Kees Lensing, bad boy Jody Jenneker and Currie Cup regular Robbie Harris in the front row. Sharks star Steven Sykes returns from injury to partner former SA u19 captain Alistair Hargreaves in the second row. Hargreaves will captain the side.
The back row is pretty big, with Justin Downey (1.93m and 102kg), Nikolai Blignaut (1.94m and 104kg) and Jean Deysel (1.90m and 112kg) the sort of combination that Jake White would gladly have picked in his heyday. One wonders whether favouring bulk over pace to this extent won’t prove suicidal under the new laws. Only time will tell.
Scott Spedding gets another opportunity to show his wares at flyhalf and he’ll have highly-rated Falcons import Charl Mcleod as his scrummy. Andries Strauss and Dumi Matyeshana are the centers, while the back three contains pace aplenty; Henno Mentz will hope his hands don’t let him down this week, while newcomers Frank Wagenstroom and the young Danie Dames from Empangeni will be keen to show their wares.
Look out for young Jacques Potgieter on the bench, a loose forward who styles his looks (as well as his play) on the iconic French “Caveman”, Sebastian Chabal.
Wildebeest XV:
15. Danie Dames, 14. Frank Wagenstroom, 13. Dumisani Matyeshana, 12. Andries Strauss, 11. Henno Mentz, 10. Scott Spedding, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Jean Deysel, 7. Nikolai Blignaut, 6. Justin Downey, 5. Steven Sykes, 4. Alistair Hargreaves (Capt), 3. Robbie Harris, 2. Jody Jenneker, 1. Kees Lensing
Replacements:
16. Subusiso Dube, 17. Pierre Bouwer, 18. Schalk van Jaarsveld, 19. Jacques Potgieter, 20. Neil de Bruin, 21. Lwazi Mvovo, 22. Riaan Swanepoel
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I don’t rate Harris or Jenneker. They may be okay at this level but they’re not good enough to step up to Super 14.
What other young props and hookers do we have coming through?
Pierre Christo Bouwer
Playing Position: Loosehead Prop EP U16 – 2001 EP U18 Craven Week – 2002/3 EP U20 – 2003/4 Natal U21 – 2005 Natal U21 – 2006
Personal Details
Full Name Pierre Christo
Surname Bouwer
Height 182cm
Weight 110kg
Birth Date 30 August 1985
Birth City Despatch
Marital Status Single
Favourite Film Braveheart
Favourite Music Alternative/Rock
Favourite Food Pizza
Primary School Susanha Fourie
Secondary School Despatch HS
Nice – where is Scott Mathie? I see Sykes is playing. Good to see.
I see the Beeste are playing in the curtain raiser at Loftus next week so I will get to see both games! Cool!
Hi Villie!
Matyeshana is another Eastern Cape boy if I’m correct? Anyone got any further info about him? Does he have speed, size etc?
young Danie Dames from Empangeni
ahem, you mean the North Coast Rhinos.
You know that Dumi Matyeshana is also from there. Quite a coup for them as this club often gets overlooked for Natal recognition given its location. However they do have a satellite rugby academy so I think we can expect to see a few more guys coming through from there.
I rate Harris. I think he did a superb job when Pat was injured last year.
By the way, let’s not forget Pat… he’ll be back in a little while, as will Deon.
Then there’s this David Hawksworth guy and Pierre Bouwer – both looseheads.
I’m STILL trying to find out what has become of SA u21 prop JC Strauss.
Villie,
Speed, size & skills for sure…great prospect, usually jump in the backline with pace… 😎
Hi Nessa
I don’t see Scott Mathie getting much game time this season. Actually surprised that he’s still with us.
We have Ruan and Kockott and then Charl McLeod…so he could be 4th choice? 😮
Ja Villie Dumi is originally from the E.Cape.
He was playing for the Leopards previously.
He’s very handy – can play fullback, wing & centre. Excelled in cub rugby last year, got him onto the Natal Currie Cup bench. Like I mentioned, it says a lot when they call up a North Coast Rhino to the senior team – means he’s really rated.
Dumi Matyeshana is a star…. I’m really excited to see him get a run, and at 13, nogal. Watch out for some fireworks
Yes – let’s not forget Pat – he was playing really well up to the time of his injury. And Deon should be back in 2 to 3 weeks. Looking forward to that.
Cornelis Jansen de Bruin
Playing Position: Scrumhalf
Province: Natal
Club: Crusaders
2007 – Natal U21
Personal Details
Full Name Cornelis Jansen
Nick Name Neil
Surname de Bruin
Height 181cm
Weight 80kg
Birth Date 26 March 1986
Birth City Durban
Marital Status Single
Favourite Film Snatch
Favourite Music Rock
Favourite Food Braai Vleis
Primary School Staats President Swarts
Secondary School Diamantveld High School
Tertiary Education University of Orange Free State
Um, where is Skipper btw?
Skipper who? 😉
only problem with a lot of these guys (in the backline anyway) is that they’re not very big!
what’s the Pumas team look like?
Does Tsimba still play for them?
Pumas vs. Wildebeeste:
Jiffy Lamprecht; Hyron Thysse, Christiaan Els, Jovan Botha, John Noble; Rudi Vogt, Jacques Coetzee; Quinten Minnaar, Karel Viljoen, Corné Steenkamp ©, Wilhelm de Jager, Nicol Mostert, Emile Botha, Morné Kruger, Dawie Steyn.
Reserwes: Gert van Schalkwyk, Ashton Constant, Johan van Heerden, Marius Webber, Shaun Venter, Jannie van der Merwe, Sasha Marot.
Another Noble? 😯
John Noble @ 11
Geez – all these Nobles and Mentz’s. Henno’s brother is really doing well at 7’s.
Ja & isn’t Henno’s dad president of the Pumas?
Jan Toit van Jaarsveldt? I keep seeing him in photos on FaceBook, but when last did he actually play a game of rugga?
let’s please not get into details about Henno’s dad and what he is…
Sasha Marot? You have got to be kidding me! STILL?
Roob
👿
Sasha Marot
ok – off to a horrible expanse of sub-urban commercial wasteland ironically named “Bluwater” to buy my wife a birthday present.
See y’all later
“…the sort of combination that Jake White would gladly have picked in his heyday.”
Ja but will they be able to fetch the ball or the beers?
Cheers RD – is it her birthday today? It is my anniversary.
It’s sooo good to see Steve Athertone involved with the Wildebeeste….remember him as a school boy @ Pinetown Boys’ High!!
Jiffy Lamprecht – must be quick.
I remember Steve Atherton emerging as the “braveheart” during the “Battle of Tucumán” – a real hard man.
remember him as a school boy @ Pinetown Boys’ High!!
21.02.08 16:17:46 – Me2
😯
They have broadband in retirement homes now? 😉
They have broadband in retirement homes now?
21.02.08 16:53:25 – Big Fish
😯 😯
Watch your manners young man!!! 😆
Birthday is on the 26th. I’m actually doing some forward planning for a change.
Happy Anniversary, Ness
man we paid so much for lensing and he has never really done anything.
we should sell him back to the bulls.
btw rob d, cool site, thanks for letting me know about it.
RD – a man with a plan. I like that. Lucky wife!
Thanks – 27 years today.
pleasure, Knersie… so glad to have you with us.
You need to find a suitable userpic 😉
Yeah, Lensing costs a lost of money, considering how often he plays for the Wildebeest.
27 years? My word. My wife is only turning 29 and we didn’t get married when she was two, that’s for sure 😉
I’ve got my 4th anniversary coming up in August.