Botes to skipper TUT against Shimlas

Flank Wikus Botes has been named as captain for the Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) Round Seven FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International clash against FNB Shimlas on Monday.

TUT have made several changes to their starting line-up with Pieter Botha getting the nod to start at left-wing, while Johan Swartz shifts to centre at the expense of Simphiwe Mtimkulu.

Nico Van Zyl also returns to the starting XV at scrumhalf, with André Potgieter dropping down to the bench.

Up front, Johan Steenkamp comes in for regular skipper Wouter Moore and he will form a new second row partnership with Jacques Venter.

TUT coach Jimmy Watt is yet to name his tighthead prop for this clash - a game that Shimlas have to win, and score four tries, to keep their slim semifinal chances alive.

Of course, TUT are the only winless side in the 2009 Varsity Cup and a win for them over this resurgent Shimlas side would see them leap-frog NMMU on the log (provided that the Men from PE lose!) and thereby avoid the dreaded promotion/relegation battle later this year.

FNB TUT: 15 TC Losper, 14 Wynand Willis, 13 Johan Swartz, 12 Lloyd Dryer, 11 Pieter Botha, 10 Chanley Williams, 9 Nico van Zyl, 8 Adrihan Kruger, 7 Oswin Mentoor, 6 Wikus Botes (captain), 5 Johan Steenkamp , 4 Jaques Venter, 3 TBC, 2 Brendan Tshoshane, 1 Jan-Harm Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Ruhan de Kock, 17 Jacques Venter, 18 Tiaan Fick, 19 Ryno Coetzee, 20 André Potgieter, 21 Simphiwe Mtimkulu, 22 Hoosein Legoabe.

Head coach: Jimmy Watt
Assistant coach: Alex de Kock

Kick-off: Monday, March 16, 6.45pm, TUT Stadium