All-change for new-look Pukke

FNB Pukke, the losing finalists in last year's FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, have picked a new-look side for Monday's tricky tournament opener against Tuks in Pretoria (kick-off 6.30pm).

Brothers Niell and Ruan Jacobs - both of whom played for Shimlas last season - have been named at flyhalf and inside centre, respectively, with Leopards Currie Cup flyhalf Cecil Dumond languishing on the bench.

Speedsters Dane Johnson (formerly of UCT) and Danie Dames - who has Currie Cup experience for the Leopards - will line up on the wings, whilst fullback Theuns Kotzé, inside centre Wouter Watermeyer and scrumhalf Andries Mahoney bring some familiarity elsewhere in the backline.

Up front, the likes of inspirational No.8 and captain Willem van der Wal, lock Grant le Roux and prop Jaco Koch are no longer around, but Savvas Nel, Dirco Rautenbach and Stoffel Duvenhage will provide the grunt in the pack, with powerful scrummager BG Uys starting the match on the bench - a scary prospect for any tiring front row.

"Tuks will be somewhat of a unknown factor to us," said Pukke head coach Rudy Joubert (pictured) told varsitycup.co.za. "But (from) the bits that I've seen and heard (thus far), they are very well prepared and will be ready for us.

"Monday will be a challenge for us - make no mistake - but you cannot afford to lose your opening fixture; especially if you are looking to host one of the semifinals [this year]."

Speaking about his starting team for Monday, the Pukke boss added: "We are still missing injured players such as Kempie Rautenbach (centre), Dauw Steyn (flyhalf), Willem Barnard (fullback), Janis Terblanche (scrumhalf) and Johannes Seerane (wing), but I'm satisfied with the team I was able to select."

The FNB Pukke team: 15 Theuns Kotzé, 14 Dane Johnson, 13 Ruan Jacobs, 12 Wouter Watermeyer, 11 Danie Dames, 10 Niell Jacobs, 9 Andries Mahoney, 8 Thabo Molete, 7 Siya Mdaka, 6 Savvas Nel, 5 Markus Fourie, 4 Dirco Rautenbach (captain), 3 Stephanus Bezuidenhout, 2 Stoffel Duvenhage, 1 Dewald Coetzee.
Replacements: 16 BW van Dyk, 17 BG Uys, 18 Francois Robbertse, 19 Jaco Lötter, 20 Cecil Dumond, 22 Wensley Scott, 22 Andrew van Wyk, 23 Johan Coetzee.

Head coach: Rudy Joubert
Manager: Tannah Stroebel

Date: Monday, February 1
Venue: Tuks Athletic Stadium
Kick-off: 6.30pm
Referee: Archie Sehlako

By Ruan Bruwer