OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 10.00am.
GOLDEN Lions caretaker coach Johan Roux has wielded the axe by making eight changes to the team which last week was beaten 42-35 by Western Province, for Saturday’s Bankfin Currie Cup clash against Border in East London.
Roux could not consider James Small, who is suffering from an ankle injury, and Balie Swart, who is now assisting him as forward coach following the axing of the coaching team of Dawie Snyman, Koos Ehlers and Wim Hollander.
Wickus Venter comes in for Small, with Ian Brown replacing Swart. Roux also moved Andre Vos from flanker to No 8, making way for South AFrican under-21 flanker Roland Reid. Roux also picked Walter Minnaar ahead of Janus Labuschagne as blindside flanker.
”We need more pace among the loose forwards. I believe Janus will do better at lock and included him as Hannes Strydom’s partner in place of Bruce Thorne,” said Roux.
Roux also preferred Leon Boshoff to Nkumane at hooker, with James Dalton coming in on the bench.
Hennie le Roux, who has recovered from a leg injury, comes in at flyhalf in place of Louis van Rensburg.
Team: Kobus Engelbrecht; Wickus Venter, Joe Esterhuysen, Rudi Keil, Jannie van der Walt; Hennie le Roux, JP du Plooy; Andre Vos (capt), Roland Reid, Walter Minnaar, Janus Labuschagne, Hannes Strydom, Tommie Laubscher, Leon Boshoff, Ian Brown. Reserves: Thinus Delport, Louis van Rensburg, Anthony Ireland, Dian Kruger, Bruce Thorne, Kapstok van Greuning, James Dalton.