Must-win Shimlas unchanged

FNB Shimlas will field an unchanged starting line-up for Monday's crucial away fixture against Tukkies - for only the second time in this year's Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

There are only two changes on the bench with the return of Marcel van der Merwe (prop) and winger Jamba Ulengo, who played for the 'Baby Boks' against Argentina. They replace James Hellawell and Rashied Isaacs, respectively.

Shimlas head coach Jaco Swanepoel has shown faith in his boytjies who have played themselves into a position where - if they can win their last two round robin matches - they will be assured of a first-ever semifinal spot.

A loss (with at least one bonus point) on Monday, and a full-house of points the following week at home against UJ, could still see them through - but, in that case, their destiny may not be in their own hands.

The outstanding form of the Shimlas loose forwards has been one of the reasons why this 2010 Shimlas side is regarded as the best-ever Varsity Cup side to emerge from Bloemfontein.

Willie Britz - one of the form flankers in the Varsity Cup, before injuring his knee against the Maties last month - is still out of action, but his replacement, Chris Dry, could feel well pleased with his debut performance against TUT Vikings - a match Shimlas won 37-31.

And the current loose trio - of Dry, Hanno Pieterse and Boom Prinsloo - would no doubt like to keep up that good form against Tukkies, who will still be hurting after their 17-64 hammering at the hands of the Maties this past Monday.

Meanwhile, coach Swanepoel has also kept faith his new-look backline that did duty against TUT; with regular flyhalf Reinhardt Erwee starting at No.15, normal No.9 Jaco Colyn continuing at flyhalf and provincial halfback Gerrie Odendaal (pictured) starting at scrumhalf once again.

* Tukkies and Shimlas have played one another twice in the Varsity Cup thus far - with each side winning one encounter; Tuks won 32-14 in Pretoria in 2008 and Shimlas won 39-22 in Bloemfontein last year.

The FNB Shimlas team: 15 Reinhardt Erwee, 14 Divandré Strydom, 13 Earl Snyman, 12 Wayne Stevens (captain), 11 Beast Ndwandwa, 10 Jaco Colyn, 9 Gerrie Odendaal, 8 Boom Prinsloo, 7 Chris Dry, 6 Hanno Pieterse, 5 Wilken Heyns, 4 Joubert Horn, 3 Ian Potgieter, 2 Hans Grobler, 1 Charles Marais.
Replacements: 16 Gert Erasmus, 17 Marcel van der Merwe, 18 Lebo Zietsman, 19 Sybrand Mostert, 20 Marlin Ruiters, 21 Johan van Schalkwyk, 22 Jamba Ulengo, 23 Johnny Harris.

Head coach: Jaco Swanepoel

Date: Monday, March 8
Venue: Tuks Rugby Stadium
Kick-off: 6.30pm
Referee: Mlungiseli Mdashe

By Ruan Bruwer