Hendrik Cronjé

Bloemfontein – Griquas will not underestimate the scrumming power of Western Province in spite of the scrumming lesson dished out to the Stormers in their recent Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders.

The Griquas camp is simply of the belief that the Stormers’ scrummagers had an off day against the Crusaders and that they will be out to put things right straight away in the Currie Cup.

Two of the players that will pack down in Griquas’ front row against Western Province at Newlands on Saturday – hooker Ryno Barnes and tighthead prop Lourens Adriaanse – played Super Rugby for the Cheetahs this year. And they know exactly what to expect against the Cape side.

“I think the Stormers have scrummed very well through the years. We certainly won’t underestimate WP in the wake of the Stormers’ scrumming performance against the Crusaders,” said Barnes.

Griquas worked particularly hard on their scrumming at training this week out of respect for WP’s scrummagers, who include fiery hooker Tiaan Liebenberg as well as props Brok Harris and Wicus Blaauw.

However, WP will struggle to get Griquas into reverse gear as the visitors can call on the experienced Barnes, Adriaanse and Steph Roberts.
Forwards coach Pote Human will also not allow the Griquas pack to take a beating.

“I think Lourens did well when he got game time for the Cheetahs (in this year’s Super Rugby tournament). We learned a lot from Os du Randt (Cheetahs scrum coach) and hope to utilise that knowledge on the field.”

Griquas will have to cope without scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius. He will know on Wednesday for how long he will be sidelined with his knee injury.

The Griquas team is: Riaan Viljoen, Richard Lawson, Wilmaure Louw, Barry Geel, Rocco Jansen, Monty Dumond, Shannon Rick, Jonathan Mokuena (capt), Davon Raubenheimer, Justin Downey, Martin Muller, Hendrik Roodt, Lourens Adriaanse, Ryno Barnes, Steph Roberts

Substitutes: Matt Dobson, Jean Botha, Frikkie Spies, Jaco Nepgen, Matt Rosslee, Earl Rose, Fabian Juries