Unchanged UJ ready for 'quarters'

The same fifteen FNB UJ players, who rewrote the history books last Monday with a 97-14 record win over FNB NMMU, have been handed the task of winning this Monday's Varsity Cup 'quarterfinal' against FNB Shimlas in Bloemfontein.

FNB UJ coach Hugo van As on Thursday announced an unchanged starting XV for the match against the FNB Shimlas. The winner will qualify for the play-offs. The loser will miss out and end fifth on the log - it's that simple!

Neither UJ nor Shimlas have qualified for the semifinals in the first two years of FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International action, so there is - quite obviously - plenty to play for...

Van As said earlier in the week that he and the rest of the coaching staff would not want to do anything that could detract the players' focus, adding: "We'll try to keep everything as normal as can be.

That would explain why the versatile and exciting SA Under-20 ace Jaco Taute, who warmed the bench for the Lions in the Currie Cup last year whilst still at school, remains on the bench.

Taute can play any position in the backline - bar scrumhalf - and his attacking abilities, coupled with Earl Lewis's prowess from broken play, could just surprise Shimlas when they come off the bench.

The FNB UJ team: 15 Aubrey McDonald, 14 Bernado Botha, 13 Clinton de Klerk (captain), 12 Luhan Steenkamp, 11 Lola Waka, 10 Ryno Luus, 9 Jaco Snyman, 8 Hennie Killian, 7 Wiehan Roos, 6 JP Janse van Rensburg, 5 Marnus van Huyssteen, 4 Corné Cordier, 3 Clint van Niekerk, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Charl du Plessis.
Replacements: 16 Brett Claassens, 17 JP Olivier, 18 Martin Lombard, 19 Quintin Minnaar, 20 Earl Lewis, 21 André Smith, 22 Jaco Taute, 23 Jaco Claassen.

Head coach: Hugo van As

Date: Monday, March 15
Venue: Shimla Park
Kick-off: 6.30pm (Live on SuperSport One)
Referee: Mlungiseli Mdashe

By Morris Gilbert