UCT's Christians returns for Pukke trip
Powerhouse FNB UCT wing Marvin Christians has been handed the No.11 shirt for Monday afternoon's mouth-watering Varsity Cup clash against FNB Pukke in Potchefstroom (kick-off 4.45pm).
Fit-again Christians replaces Dane Johnson in the only change to the UCT starting XV that edged out a spirited FNB Shimlas 23-20 side in a hard-fought FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International fixture this past Monday.
The strong-running Christians and speedsters Johnson and Marcello Sampson have all shared the wing spots this past season, with Therlow Pietersen - the top try-scorer in the 2009 Varsity Cup - bossing things from the fullback position.
In all, Ikey Tigers head coach John Dobson has rested three key men; dreadlocked flyer Johnson (in the starting XV), and also livewire scrumhalf JP Robert and bustling centre Sean van Tonder amongst the replacements.
Robert, arguably UCT's find of the Varsity Cup, has been replaced by Kyle Wickins on the bench, whilst utility back Michael Nel will provide backline cover in place of strongman Van Tonder.
"They are all a bit tired and have a few niggles and could do with a break," Dobson told varsitycup.co.za. "We would like them back for the semifinals, so it's good to give them some time off and, luckily, we have some great replacements in Marvin, Kyle and Michael.
"The truth is that we made the semifinals a fortnight ago, so we have to manage the last round robin games," he added. "It was always our intention to do so.
"In fact, I intended to rest more for this game," continued Dobson, "but given how shoddy we were on Monday night some players needed to play again to repair the tripe we served up against Shimlas."
UCT are already assured of a semifinal place, but they need to claim a losing bonus point - or score four tries - to be assured of hosting a semifinal, should they lose to Pukke on Monday.
Of course, a win over the Men from Potch will be more than enough to get that home semifinal, whilst a Maties loss to Tukkies in Stellenbosch - coupled with a UCT win - could even see the Ikeys end top of the log for the second successive season.
Dobson, however, remains unfazed by all the various permutations ahead of next week's Varsity Cup play-offs.
"A lot of people say how important a home semifinal is and tell us how hard it is to play in Potch (where we could end up playing a semifinal), but the truth is our players like the fields up-country - the space and speed suits our brand of rugby," said the Ikeys coach.
"We have not lost a game up-country in our Varsity Cup history. Although we are used to it, the wind and treacherous conditions on the 'Green Mile' do not suit us that much, so we are very relaxed about where we will play the semifinal.
"The point is we are there (in the semifinals) and have been for a while, which was our only goal at the start of the season."
The truth is, however, that Pukke will be waiting for UCT - especially after last season's gut-wrenching semifinal loss to the Men in Blue and White.
"We are looking forward to the trip and the experience of the famed atmosphere at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds - it will be a great experience for our players, especially if we are forced to go back there a week later," said Dobson.
"I think Puk is a great institution that has contributed enormously to SA rugby and we're looking forward to playing them in their red-hot cauldron on Monday afternoon."
FNB UCT (revised): 15 Therlow Pietersen, 14 Peter Haw, 13 Tiger Bax, 12 Pieter Engelbrecht, 11 Marvin Christians , 10 Matt Rosslee (vice-captain), 9 Stuart Commins, 8 JJ Gagiano (captain), 7 Enoch Panya, 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 5 Donovan Armand, 4 Michael Passaportis, 3 Shane Meier, 2 Dayne Jans, 1 Dylan Rogers.
Replacements: 16 Mark Goosen, 17 Ashley Wells, 18 Dane Galley, 19 Kuselo Moyake, 20 Kyle Wickins, 21 Michael Nel, 22 Dane Johnson.
Head coach: John Dobson
Assistant coach: Robbie Fleck
Kick-off: Monday, March 16, 4.45pm, Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds