Ikeys to do Maties a favour?
The Ikey Tigers could do Varsity Cup rivals, FNB Maties, a huge favour when they play host to log leaders Hamilton's in WP Super League action at the Green Mile on Saturday afternoon.
Back-to-back Varsity Cup champions, the Maties, and Hamilton's are involved in a two-horse race for the 2009 Super League title and a UCT win over the latter could help Stellenbosch narrow the gap on the log.
Of course, at the same time a win for UCT will see the 2008 Varsity Cup finalists take one step closer to finishing third on the Super League standings - a highly-respectable finish for the Cape Town students.
UCT, unfortunately, will be without star loose forward Nick Fenton-Wells for this big encounter, but lock Don Armand will wear the No.6 shirt in his absence, with a fit-again Michael Passaportis lining up alongside skipper Bodo Sieber in the second row.
Youngster Matthew Page gets another run in the No.2 shirt, whilst the bench has plenty of front row options with Wes Chetty, Herbie Mayosi and Stephen Knoop all lining up amongst the replacements.
Stephen Knoop, a former UCT stalwart, has been playing second team rugby at the club since his return from Leinster in Ireland earlier this year and he will be joined on the bench by his younger brother Graham, who has been in superb form for the seconds since moving from lock to No.8.
'Comeback kid' James Martin - the 2008 Varsity Cup Back of the Tournament - will also add some much-needed depth to the UCT bench, along with winger Marvin Christians who is back from a lay-off.
In other team news, SA Universities ace Matt Rosslee will return to his more familiar position at flyhalf, with powerhouse Sean van Tonder taking over at inside centre and speedster Marcello Sampson returning on the right-wing.
Young No.10 Dougie Mallett - who has acquitted himself very well in the first team in recent weeks - has returned to the UCT Under-20s for their crucial league encounter with Hamilton's U20 team.
UCT and Hamilton's last met at the end of May 2009, with the Green Point side edging out a tense encounter 30-26 - that after the Ikeys held a 10-point lead going into the final ten minutes.
"We'd love to put one over 'Hammies'," admitted acting UCT head coach Kevin Foote in conversation with varsitycup.co.za.
"They're obviously a quality side, and it's not for nothing that they're leading the Super League standings and off to the National Club Championships in a few weeks.
"But, despite that, we honestly believe we can beat them if we play to our strengths and execute our gameplan properly."
Foote added: "Last week's loss (to NNK) was obviously a big blow, and we're battling a few injuries and provincial call-ups, but we're looking forward to getting back to our home ground and making life tough for this top quality Hamilton's team."
The UCT team: 15 Therlow Pietersen, 14 Marcello Sampson, 13 Dave Edgar, 12 Sean van Tonder, 11 Dave Clayton, 10 Matthew Rosslee (vice-captain), 9 Stu Commins, 8 Sam Peter, 7 Craig Kleu, 6 Don Armand, 5 Michael Passaportis, 4 Bodo Sieber (captain), 3 Dylan Rogers, 2 Matthew Page, 1 Ashley Wells.
Replacements: 16 Wes Chetty, 17 Herbie Mayosi, 18 Stephen Knoop, 19 Graham Knoop, 20 James Martin, 21 Marvin Christians, 22 Freddie Strange.
Kick-off: 4pm, Groote Schuur A
* Above picture courtesy of Peter van As.