Maties set for top-of-the-table battle

Varsity Cup and WP Super League champions, FNB Maties, will go head-to-head with Hamilton's on Saturday in a top-of-the-table Super League clash in Stellenbosch.

Hamilton's are currently in first place on the WP League standings, with Maties having dropped valuable log points in their 16-16 Intervarsity draw against UCT two weeks ago. A win on Saturday could see the team from Green Point take a step closer to the National Club Championships.

The top team on the log will represent the Western Cape at the Club champs in Tukkies this September and a home loss for the reigning Varsity Cup champions could see them - perhaps - miss out.

Of course, both these teams are by no means in the clear, with UCT also breathing down their necks in third place and a loss for either side could see the Ikeys (who play SK Walmers this weekend) catch them on the Super League standings.

Andries Volgraaff is a new name at fullback for the Maties, whilst loose forward Cameron Peverett - back from SA Vipers duty in Tangiers - finds himself on the bench, alongside scrumhalf Donald Stevens, the 2009 Varsity Cup Player of the Tournament.

Henoe Stoffberg is back in the No.9 shirt this week, having started last week's 41-20 win over Helderberg in the No.15 jersey.

No.4 lock Bertho van der Westhuizen will once again captain the Maties, despite the presence of loose forwards Bennie Booysen and Wesley Wilkins - both of whom have led this side, successfully one might add, in the not too distant past.

The Maties team: 15 Andries Volgraaff, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Pieter Stoffberg, 12 Jean Stemmet, 11 Louw Schabort, 10 Adnaan Osman, 9 Henoe Stoffberg, 8 Bennie Booysen, 7 Morné Hanekom, 6 Wesley Wilkins, 5 Jaco Nepgen, 4 Bertho van der Westhuizen (captain), 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Arno White, 1 Johan Roets.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Dobson, 17 Gerrit Jacobs, 18 Hugo Kloppers, 19 Cameron Peverett, 20 Jonathan Adendorf, 21 Donald Stevens, 22 Jonathan Francke.

Head coach: Chean Roux