WEDNESDAY, 9.40AM:
Marius Hurter has been dropped from the Northern Transvaal side for Currie Cup match against Western Province at Newlands on Saturday. Joost van der Westhuizen, who looked equally out of sorts in the weekend win over Griquas, has been declared fit and keeps his place.
Piet Boer wil replace Hurter after replacing him during last Saturday’s match. In the other two changes made to the side, Kosie van Vuuren takes over from Johan Schutte in midfield, while Derick Grobbelaar returns in place of injured lock Krynauw Otto.
The Gauteng Lions have made seven changes and a positional switch for Friday night’s Currie Cup match against Border at Ellis Park. Balie Swart will lead the side following injuries to Kobus Wiese and Hannes Strydom, and the decision to rest Johan Roux.
Joe Gillingham moves to the right wing in place of Jannie van der Walt, Joe Esterhuyzen comes in for Gillingham, while JP du Plooy replaces Roux at scrumhalf. Warren Brosnihan returns in place of Andre Vos, who moves to flank with Bruce Thorneg will be at the bench. Piet van Westing comes in for RAU lock Gerrie Theron, who has suspected concussion.
The Mpumulanga Pumas have made three changes for the Bankfin Currie Cup match against Northern Free State at Witbank on Friday evening. Dan Van Zyl, who played at flyhalf in the match against the Gauteng Falcons moves back to scrumhalf, in place of scrumhalf Arni van Rooyen. Wing Kallie Benadie takes over at flyhalf while Polla Nel takes over on the wing.
Western Province coach Harry viljoen has included former Canadian international Christian Stewart in place of Percy Montgomery. Viljoen said Montgomery has not ben dropped but the move to include Stewart was the proof that his plans for the season had been built around the squad system principle.
GAUTENG LIONS: Kobus Engelbrecht; Joe Gillingham, Joe Esterhuysen, Hennie le Roux, Thinus Delport; Louis van Rensburg, JP du Plooy; Warren Brosnihan, Janus Labuschagne, Andre Vos, Piet van Westing, Wilnand Vlok, Kapstok van Greuning, Chris Rossouw, Balie Swart (captain). RESERVES: Jannie van der Walt, Johan Roux, Bruce Thorne, Faan Muller, Roberto Grau, James Dalton.
NORTHERN TRANSVAAL: Kosie Alberts; Archer Dames, Kosie van Vuuren, Grant Esterhuizen, Casper Steyn; Roland de Marigny, Joost van der Westhuizen; Adriaan Richter (captain), Schutte Bekker, Nicky van der Walt, Derick Grobbelaar, Wium Basson, Piet Boer, Jannie Brooks, Pierre Ribbens. RESERVES: Graeme Bouwer, Johan Schutte, Conrad Breytenbach, Johan Otto, Marius Hurter, Lourens Campher.
MPUMALANGA PUMAS: Andries Fourie, Riaan Potgieter, Carlo Jonker, Gerhard Bouwer, Polla Nel, Kallie Benadie, Dan van Zyl, Piet Joubert, Joe Beukes, Francois Rossouw, Elandre van der Bergh, Chaka Willemse (Capt), Hakkies Swart, Henry Kemp, Andre Botha. RESERVES: Jerry Jendle, Eben von Gericke, Grant Bartel, Dawie Nel, Draadkar de Lange, Reyno Vermaak.
WESTERN PROVINCE:Justin Swart, James Small, Dick Muir (captain), Christain Staewart, Pieter Rossouw, Louis Keon, Joggie Viljoen, Andrew Aitken, Bobby Skinstad, Corne Krige, Fritz van Heerden, Louis Blom, Kieth Andrews, Johan van Wyk, Toks van der Linde, RESEVES: Percy Montgomery, Keith Catchpole, Peet Arnold, Selwyn Boome, Copbus Vissagie, Jaco Kirsten.