The Border Bulldogs rugby team, who play the Leopards in Potchefstroom on Friday in a Currie Cup first Division match, have been hard hit by injury.
Apart from captain and flank Derek Hendry, the Bulldogs will also be minus frontline players flyhalf Werner Bester, centre Werner Coetzer, scrumhalf Vido Nako and tighthead prop Vaughn Graham.
Due to lack of depth and the departure of six players to other unions, several club players have been called on with the Bulldogs fielding a brand new halfback pairing of flyhalf Simon Hault and scrumhalf Luntu Rara.
Also in the starting line-up for the first time is lock James Winstanley, and scrumhalf Yongama Mkaza is among the replacements.
Injured captain Hendry believes the Bulldogs will nevertheless remain competitive.
”There are a lot of fringe players keen to prove themselves,” he said this week.
Bulldogs: Tiger Mangweni, Oswa Ndungane, Tinus van Rensburg, Vusumzi Mbulali, Ian Fihlani, Simon Hault, Luntu Rara, Pietie Loots, Gareth Krause, Zolani Mofu, James Winstanley, Bennie Jacobs, Michael Coetzee, Willem Botha, Danie Thiart.
Replacements: Justin Murray, Lonwabo Mtimka, Edrich Linde, Blackie Swart, Yongama Mkaza, Thembani Mkokeli, Fergus Kennedy.
Coach: Dumisani Mhani. — Sapa