NMMU show their hand for Pukke

FNB NMMU head coach Kolie Brandt has announced his starting XV for Monday's Round Five, Varsity Cup clash against Pukke at the Xerox NMMU Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Scrumhalf Luso Booi will captain a much-changed outfit that is still looking for its first win in the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International; with fullback Carl van Niekerk, centres Hugo van Heerden and Luvuyo Mhlobiso all coming into the backline.

Up front, meanwhile, JP Kellerman returns to take over the No.7 shirt from Mathew Lutge - who will move to the second row - and Werner Kapp (hooker) and prop Tyron Williams are back in the Madibas front row, replacing Hugo Lampbrechts and Chariel van Jaarsveld, respecitvely.

NMMU have not managed to beat the Pukke in the Varsity Cup, but the Men from Port Elizabeth will be desperate for points this week as they contemplate a possible Wooden Spoon 'play-off' against the TUT Vikings in Week Seven (March 15).

Speaking to varsitycup.co.za this week, impressive NMMU inside back Willem Laubscher said: "We have to look at the facts. The guys are remaining positive but there needs to be some tough talking done if we are to improve [this season]."

The FNB NMMU team: 15 Carl van Niekerk, 14 Oscar Mazaka, 13 Hugo van Heerden, 12 Luvuyo Mhlobiso, 11 Williams Heydenrych, 10 Willem Laubscher, 9 Luso Booi (captain), 8 Samuel Borsaah, 7 JP Kellerman, 6 Thomasau Forbes, 5 Mathew Lutge, 4 Jannie Fourie, 3 Pierre Hammand, 2 Werner Kapp, 1 Tyron Williams.
Replacements: 16 Chariel van Jaarsveld, 17 Thabiso Mgomezulu, 18 De Wet De Lange, 19 Kemsley Wesso, 20 Wade Roos, 21 Christopher Juries, 22 Stefan de Klerk, 23 Hanre Basson.

Head coach: Kolie Brandt

Date: Monday, March 1
Venue: Xerox NMMU Stadium
Kick-off: 6.30pm
Referee: Bongani Maloni