Dobson announces UCT XV
John Dobson, head coach of FNB UCT, has announced his strongest team possible for Saturday's Western Province Super League meeting against the top of the table Hamilton's in Green Point.
The Ikey Tigers coach is still without injured stars Stu Commins, Tim Whitehead, Dane Johnson and Dylan Rogers, as well as USA international JJ Gagiano (who is on Test duty), and he is under no illusions ahead of Saturday's tough battle.
Not only are Hamilton's currently top of the WP Super League log - and eyeing qualification for the 2009 National Club Championships at Tukkies - but they will also be on a high after their last-gasp 25-24 win over FNB Maties last weekend.
"Hamilton's are always a tough side - especially given the experienced and hard-nosed players they have up front," Dobson told varsitycup.co.za.
"Saturday's weather is not looking that promising either, which will make our task that much harder, but we will - as always - be going out there with the intention of winning."
UCT have lost just once this Super League season and they find themselves in fourth position on the log - behind 'Hammies', Victorians and Maties. Their 'mates' from Stellenbosch will be hoping for an Ikeys win as the Varsity Cup champions look to qualify for the 2009 Club Champs.
The UCT team: 15 Therlow Pietersen, 14 Marvin Christians, 13 Dave Edgar, 12 Pieter Engelbrecht, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Matt Rosslee, 9 JP Robert, 8 Jody Burch, 7 Enoch Panya, 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 5 Michael Passaportis, 4 Bodo Sieber (captain), 3 Herbie Mayosi, 2 Dayne Jans, 1 Vakai Hove.
Replacements: 16 Mark Goosen, 17 Ashley Wells, 18 Don Armand, 19 Dane Galley, 20 Craig Kleu, 21 Ian Armstrong, 22 Pete Haw.
Kick-off: Saturday, May 30 - 4pm
WP Super League log (as at May 25):
(Under played, won, points)
1. Hamilton's 7, 7, 31
2. Victorians 8, 5, 27
3. Stellenbosch 7, 5, 26
4. UCT 6, 4, 22
5. 'Durbell' 6, 4, 19
6. SK Walmers 7, 2, 13
7. NNK 6, 2, 11
8. Villager 7, 2, 10
9. Helderberg 6, 1, 5
10. Kraaifontein 6, 0, 1