Pukke power up for semifinals
FNB Pukke, who are off to defend their National Club Championships title in Pretoria later this month, have named a powerful starting XV for Saturday's Pirates Grand Challenge semifinal meeting with Impala.
No.8 Willem van der Wal (pictured, middle) will once again captain the 2009 Varsity Cup finalists, whilst Marcel du Toit will occupy the all-important flyhalf berth with Cecil Dumond still on Currie Cup duty with the Leopards.
Van der Wal, who captained the SA Universities against their American opponents last month, will form an all-action loose trio with Savvas Nel (No.7) and Jaco Lötter (No.6).
Of course, Pukke will begin the defence of their Club Champs title against invited Limpopo side, Noordelikes, on Sunday, September 20 - in the main match of the day. (Click here for all Day One fixtures.)
The Pukke team: 15 Theuns Kotzé, 14 Johannes Seerane, 13 Kempie Rautenbach, 12 John Roodt, 11 Wouter Watermeyer, 10 Marcel du Toit, 9 Janis Terblanche, 8 Willem van der Wal (captain), 7 Savvas Nel, 6 Jaco Lötter, 5 Bones Robbertze, 4 Dirco Rautenbach, 3 Stefan Bezuidenhout, 2 Stoffel Duvenhage, 1 Snoepie Coetzee.
Replacements: 16 Alfred Wouts, 17 BW van Dyk, 18 Thabu Molete, 19 Nelis Nel, 20 Andries Mahoney, 21 Joubert Engelbrecht, 22 Trokkie de Kock.
Meanwhile, the University of Johannesburg will take on Pirates in the second Grand Challenge semifinal - also this weekend.
Ryno Luus - who played at fullback last weekend for UJ against Impala - will wear the No.10 shirt, with SA Universities flyhalf André Smith on the bench.
Clinton de Klerk will once again skipper the Men from Johannesburg, with Justin St. Jerry lining up at outside centre alongside him.
The UJ team: 15 Arno Coetzee, 14 Itumeleng Mogotsi, 13 Justin St. Jerry, 12 Clinton de Klerk (captain), 11 Edrick van Tonder, 10 Ryno Luus, 9 Wella Samuels, 8 Hennie Killian, 7 Andries Nel, 6 JP van Rensburg, 5 Rob Andrew, 4 Martin Lombard, 3 Clint van Niekerk, 2 Edgar Maruthule, 1 Wayne Swart.
Replacements: 16 Thys de Villiers, 17 JP Olivier, 18 Henry Coleman, 19 Torrie Meyer, 20 Freddie van Zyl, 21 André Smith, 22 JJ Pienaar.