Tough assignment for Shimlas
As one of just two Varsity Cup teams in action, FNB Shimlas will have their work cut out in order to finish amongst the top sides at the 2009 National Club Championships.
Shimlas, who qualified for the Club Champs for the first time since 2006, face a huge assignment at Tukkies' LC de Villiers sports grounds when the tournament starts this coming Sunday.
For starters, head coach Jaco Swanepoel has had to call on 12 newcomers to join his squad. (Just four of the 25 players travelling to Pretoria were in action in the Varsity Cup earlier in the year.)
Injuries, Provincial call-ups and work commitments have all contrived to rob Swanepoel of his best players, whilst also - at the same time - forcing him to call on a number of hostel (koshuis) players in order to get a competitive group together.
"Look, it's fair to say that we're going into the tournament as underdogs, but maybe the youthful exuberance of the squad, and that 'recklessness' that goes with youth, will make up for what the team lacks in experience," the Shimlas coach told varsitycup.co.za earlier in the week.
"Free State teams always tend to get the underdog status ahead of big competitions, but often that unknown status can work in one's favour."
Two key players for Shimlas will be their loose forwards Boer van Niekerk (flank, pictured) and Arné Grobbelaar (No.8).
Van Niekerk, who has also played on the wing for Shimlas, is probably in the form of his life and could be the guy to call upon for some inspiration and magic.
Grobbelaar, on the other hand, is a hard working No.8 and a consistently good performer for Shimlas in the 2009 Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
In the backline, versatile captain Jaco Colyn has the most Shimla caps to his name and will have a big responsibility to lead a very young team. Tiaan Aucamp is a player at fullback that could be a surprise package. However, the Men in Blue would need to create opportunities for the likes of Colyn and Aucamp to cause some damage.
Shimlas' first opponents are Park from the Eastern Province. Should the Free Staters manage a win, Hamilton's (WP), who are ranked third at the Club Champs, would probably be their opponents in the 'quarterfinals' on Tuesday.
Follow all the results from the National Club Champs, here on varsitycup.co.za!
The Shimlas squad (25):
Forwards: Arné Grobbelaar, Boer van Niekerk, Gerhard Theron, Joubert Horn, Lebo Zietsmann, James Hellawell, Gert Erasmus, Vaatjie Koorsen, JC van Wyk, Lood Buchner, Richard Harris, Jan-Hendrik Leibrandt, Ettiene Terblanché, Bennie Piek.
Backs: Tiaan Aucamp, Karl Eksteen, Johan van Schalkwyk, Earl Snyman, Alex McKenzie, Jaco Colyn, Jacques Roberts, Danie Cronjé, Bertus Bester, William D'Ath, Sakkie Muller.
By Ruan Bruwer