Griquas coach Hawies Fourie has named his 22 for Saturday’s Currie Cup opener against the Sharks in Kimberley. Former Sharks junior tighthead Nikolaas “Maks” van Dyk will be in the starting line-up.
After a disappointing Currie Cup campaign in 2013, Griquas lost their relegation battle against the Pumas and ended the year on a low. Under the leadership of Fourie and new assistant coach Peter Engledow, though, they’ve rebuilt strongly in 2014, starting with a storming trophy win in the Vodacom Cup and followed with an unbeaten run in the Currie Cup qualifying series that saw them edge the Leopards to claim the eighth spot in this year’s Premier Division.
While they may not have the big names on paper – as in most years – they bring a huge amount of form and continuity into Saturday’s game, something which the new-look Sharks will need to counter.
Tian Meyer (scrumhalf) and Danie Dames (wing) have both played for the Sharks at Vodacom Cup level, so should also know their opponents quite well.
Griquas: 15 Nico Scheepers, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Jonathan Francke, 12 Wayne Stevens (captain), 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Carel Greeff, 7 Hilton Lobberts, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Jaco Nepgen, 4 Willem Serfontein, 3 Nicolaas van Dyk, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Ewald Van Der Westhuizen, 18 Hugo Kloppers, 19 RJ Liebenberg, 20 Abrie Griesel, 21 Marais Schmidt, 22 Edries Arendse.
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That is quite an abrasive and physical pack they have chosen. They know to beat the Sharks they have to win the forward battle. If the Sharks are smart then they wont want to get into a close up battle with this side. Rather move the ball wide and attack them there. Hoping to see a Sharks side with some speed throughout
Where is Howard Mnisi???
@ChrisS (Comment 2) : apparently signed for the Lions?
@robdylan (Comment 3) : And Doppies la Grange signed for the Griquas
Kwasse met 15+
@robdylan (Comment 3) : Mnisi and Hannekom could be quite a combo for the Lions…
Not having a FL game makes me care very little about line-ups 🙁
@JarsonX (Comment 7) : I’m trying out the FL on Ultimate Dream Teams
@SheldonK (Comment 1) : That might not work either. kwas have enough pace in the backline. danie Dames, Rocco Jansen, Wayne Stevens and Francke have enough pace to burn too.
@KingCheetah (Comment 9) : Yes pace but those guys arent the best defenders…thats more at what i was getting at