Griquas to unleash Coetzee against Sharks

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas have opted for continuity in selection for their Currie Cup match-up against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, with coach Scott Mathie making only one change to his side for the encounter.

Former Bulls and Cheetahs utility forward Ewan Coetzee – a product of Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale – will start at lock in place of Adre Smith, who will make an impact off the replacements bench, in the only change to the starting team.

With Mathie yet to decide on his final group of replacements, CJ Conradie (hooker), who is in line to make his Currie Cup debut, Johnathan Francke (centre), Reagan Orange (scrumhalf), and Bandisa Ndlovu (prop) were named among the 10 possible replacements.

The men from Kimberley may be at the foot of the log table, but they have tested the Sharks to the limit in the past and will enter the match determined to prove that they can win after a number of narrow defeats since the start of the season.

Griquas: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Andre Swarts, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Zak Burger (captain), 8 Johan Momsen, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Ewan Coetzee, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Alandre van Rooyen, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel.

Replacements - from: 16 CJ Conradie, 17 Mox Mxoli, 18 Tijde Visser, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 Ashlon Davids, 22 Johnathan Francke, 23 Daniel Kasende, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 Raegan Oranje.

Date: Saturday, January 2

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 16.30 (14.30 GMT)

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron and Divan Uys

TMO: Marius Jonker