All change for unlucky Tukkies
Freddie Grobler and his co-selectors have been forced to make three more (late) changes to the FNB Tuks line-up for Monday's Varsity Cup - and Pretoria Derby - match against the FNB TUT Vikings.
Having planned on making just three changes to the side that drew 34-34 with UJ last week, Grobler could only shake his head in disbelief as Donovan Marais (outside centre), Devin Oosthuizen (flank) and Cornell Hess (lock) were all ruled out due to injuries - virtually at the 11th hour.
"Only one of the changes had anything to do with form," the Tuks boss told varsitycup.co.za.
"The rest were all necessitated by injuries or circumstances outside our control. It goes without saying than we lose continuity in the process, but we are also fortunate that most of the 'new' faces in the side have been part of our squad structures since October last year," said Grobler.
SA Sevens speedster Deon Helberg, who scored two lovely tries against UJ, was not released by the Blue Bulls and will be replaced by Ernie Kruger on the right-wing.
Kruger, the outside centre in FNB Tuks' first two Varsity Cup matches this year, would have been replaced by Marais - but after his late injury, Dirk Dippenaar (pictured, above), takes over the No.13 jersey. Dippenaar played on the right-wing against Pukke two weeks ago.
The most noteworthy change is at scrumhalf where Zylon McGaffen takes over from Wesleigh Marais - in what seems to be the only enforced change to the Tuks line-up. He is Tuks' third starting scrumhalf in as many games.
McGaffen will make his Varsity Cup debut for Tuks against the Vikings at the TUT Stadium, but has a full season of Carlton Cup rugby to his credit - albeit for Harlequins (in 2009). He has, of course, also been part of the FNB Tuks' Varsity Cup squad since the start of the season.
Up front, the injured Oosthuizen and Hess are replaced by Oswin Mentoor and Joe Walters, respectively. There is also a change in the front row where Danie Oosthuizen will get his first start of the season. Hein Viljoen moves to the bench.
The FNB Tuks team: 15 Gert Smith, 14 Ernie Kruger, 13 Dirk Dippenaar, 12 Franco Booysen, 11 Justin van Staden, 10 Shaun Davids (captain), 9 Zylon McGaffen, 8 Marius Weber, 7 Oswin Mentoor, 6 Lourens Lombard, 5 Joe Walters, 4 Tiaan Nel, 3 Danie Oosthuizen, 2 Chris Crous, 1 Musa Tukela.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Ettienne Breytenbach, 18 Coenraad Pieterse, 19 Tendai Chikukwa, 20 Fanie Booysen, 21 Franco Mostert, 22 Tom Seabela, 23 Hein Viljoen.
Head coach: Freddie Grobler
Date: Monday, February 15
Venue: TUT Stadium
Kick-off: 4.30pm (Live on SuperSport One)
Referee: Mlungiseli Mdashe
By Morris Gilbert