Griquas keen to 'test' Kings
Griquas will put a few youngsters on trial, but also provide the Southern Kings with a stern test on Wednesday.
Coach Pote Human named what is mainly his Vodacom Cup team for the encounter with the Super Rugby rookies in Port Elizabeth, adding that there is a strong experimental nature to the game.
"It is our first game, while the Kings have played a few games already," Human told this website, when asked about his team's goals.
"We are very much in the early stages of our [Vodacom Cup] build-up, to see where we stand. We have so far worked hard on our conditioning., strength and skills - we have basically just put some structures in place.
"We do realise this game is even more important to the Kings, their last friendly ahead of their Super Rugby debut [against the Western Force on February 23] and hope to give them a good run for their money."
The Griquas coach is giving a few young guys a chance in PE.
"Deon Carney is a guy who played for Noordkaap Hoërskool [the local school in Kimberley], for Griquas schools and then went to New Zealand for three years," Human said, adding: "I would like to see him in action.
"I am also keen to see Enrico Acker, who is in his second year with us. He was injured for most of last year and two years ago he was the Varsity Cup player of the year. I would like to see him in action at this level [against a Super Rugby franchise].
"Brummer Badenhorst played for Maties [Varsity Cup] last year and he is another guy I want to trial at this level.
"it is mostly about experimentation for us."
Griquas: 15 Richard Lawson, 14 Luzuko Vulindlu, 13 Jean Stemmet, 12 PJ Vermeulen, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Enrico Acker, 8 Leon Karemaker, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Deon Carney, 5 Jaco Nepgen, 4 Edwin Hewitt, 3 Brummer Badenhorst, 2 Matt Dobson, 1 Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Eugene Butterworth, 18 Janro van Niekerk, 19 Joubert Horn, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Marnus Hugo, 22 Jacques Coetzee, 23 Walter Venter.
Date: Wednesday, February 13
Venue: NMB Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker