OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Friday 10.45pm.
THE Natal Sharks will be fired-up for their big Currie Cup rugby match against Western Province at Newlands Saturday with the return of Springbok skipper, number eight Gary Teichmann and midfield bonecrusher Pieter Muller returning to the pack.
Teichmann replaced Brad MacLeod-Henderson who played a sterling game last Saturday against the Blue Bulls at King’s Park, a match which the Sharks won 24-19. Muller replaces Geoff Appleford, and will partner Joe Gillingham.
A win for the Sharks on Saturday will ensure a home semifinal berth, while Province, last year’s winners, will be hoping to end in the top four with a good performance.
Natal Team:
Andre Joubert; Shaun Payne, Joe Gillingham, Pieter Muller, Stephen Brink; Henry Honiball, Kevin Putt; Gary Teichmann(c), Wayne Fyvie, Warren Brosnihan, Mark Andrews, Steve Atherton, Robbie Kempson, Chris Rossouw, Ollie le Roux.
The Gauteng Falcons will have a tough match against log-leaders Griqualand West in Kimberley on Saturday, with a win over Andre Markgraaff’s men giving them a chance to play in the semis if Western Province and the Free State Cheetahs lose without gaining bonus points.
Teams:
Griquas:
Boeta Wessels; Scolla Scholtz, Lourens Venter, Edrich Lubbe, Robert Markram; Gaffie du Toit, David von Hoesslin; Luther Bakkes(c), Gideon Watts, Piet Krause, Phillip Smit, Albert van den Berg, Dawie Theron, Basil de Coning, Danie Vermeulen.
Falcons:
Piet Matthys; Werner Geyer, Wynand Lourens, Eugene Meyer (capt), Len van Riet; Braam van Straaten, Deon de Kock; Naas Rossouw, Paul Henderson, Jaco Booysen, Wayne Boardman, Ralph Schroeder, Johan le Roux, Danie van der Walt, Gunder Williamson.
Free State’s Cheetahs will face a Blue Bulls team sporting four changes, of which three are positional, in their Currie Cup match-up at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Bulls coach Eugene van Wyk has moved winger Grant Esterhuizen to centre, with Danie van Schalkwyk moving from midfield to wing. Jannie Brooks, who played flanker against the Sharks last week, moves to hooker, with Stephan Britz binding on the side of the scrum.
Team:
Blue Bulls:
Hannes Venter; Danie van Schalkwyk, Andre Snyman, Grant Esterhuizen, Jacques Olivier; Franco Smith, Joost van der Westhuizen(c), Schutte Bekker, Stephan Britz, Nicky van der Walt, Krynauw Otto, Derrick Grobbelaar, Piet Boer, Jannie Brooks, Pierre Ribbens.
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