Griquas keep faith, despite loss

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Despite their opening loss to the Cheetahs, Griquas coach Pieter Bergh has kept faith with the team for their Round Two trip to Durban.

The Sharks, who had a bye in Round One, hosts Griquas in Durban on Wednesday.

The Griquas team is unchanged from that which lost 20-30 to the Cheetahs this past weekend.

Forwards coach Barend Pieterse said they opted for "continuity" as part of their drive to become a competitive unit that can challenge for the play-offs again.

Griquas narrowly lost (24-28) to the Sharks in last year's semifinals.

After their encouraging start, they will look for another productive campaign.

The Kimberley-based outfit will still be without a host of first-choice players.

Players who were not considered for selection due to injury include veteran flyhalf George Whitehead, Hanru Sirgel, Andrew Beerwinkel, Jay-Cee Nel, Carl Els, Nathan Nkutu and Luyolo Dapula.

Griquas: 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Christopher Hollis, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Zander du Plessis, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Niel Otto, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Alandre van Rooyen, 1 Eddie Davids.

Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Kudzwai Dube, 18 Justin Forwood, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Michael Amiras, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 Theo Boshoff, 23 Sango Xamlashe.

Date: Wednesday, January 19

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 17.45 (15.45 GMT)

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant referees: Paul Mente, Yanga Sotshangane

TMO: Quinton Immelman