Share

Injuries frustrate Griquas

Kimberley - Plagued by injuries to key players, Griquas coach Pote Human was forced to reshuffle his starting line up for the Currie Cup encounter against Western Province at Newlands on Friday evening.

Utility forward Carel Greeff has been ruled out for the next couple of weeks after he broke his hand in Griquas' home game against the Sharks last weekend in Kimberley.

Human has to also make do without fullback PJ Vermeulen and lock Victor Kruger, who both broke their ankles against the Sharks.

Other players on the growing injury list include locks Ligtoring Landman, Jonathan Adendorf, Hilton Lobberts, and prop Janro van Niekerk.

"We just can't get ahead with regards to injuries. Whenever one player returns, another gets injured," Human said.

"Carel had a little discomfort from his hand after the Sharks game and we thought it only to be bruised. But when he experienced real pain on Monday we sent him for X-rays, which confirmed he broke a small bone in his hand. It is another huge blow for us."

Greeff has been replaced by another player who has returned from injury, No 8 Leon Karemaker. Jaco Nepgen, who has proved his fitness after a shoulder injury, was included in the run-on side in the lock position.

"We have lost a lot of players to injury, but I am glad that both Leon and Jaco are available. They will bring some much needed experience to the team and at this stage we need everything we can get."

Youngster Gouws Prinsloo was selected in place of the injured Vermeulen at fullback, while centre Jean Stemmet comes in for JP Nel, who is struggling with a knee injury.

Scrumhalf Marnus Schoeman was relegated to the bench, with Jacques Coetzee starting against the Cape Town-based outfit.

Human said the outing would be a tough ask, in light of all the recent predicaments they had had to face.

"It's never easy going to Newlands and we know that we are the underdogs for a victory. We have to be realistic and look at the coming promotion/relegation matches. If we can finish above the Blue Bulls on the points log, we will be safe from that."

Teams:

Western Province:

15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Rohan Kitshoff, 5. De Kock Steenkamp (captain), 4. Taz Fuzani, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16. Michael Willemse, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Rayn Smid, 20. Josh Katzen, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Demetri Catrakilis

Griquas:

15. Gouws Prinsloo, 14. Nico Scheepers, 13. Jean Stemmet,  12. Howard Mnisi, 11. Rocco Jansen, 10. Francois Brummer, 9. Jacques Coetzee,  8. Leon Karemaker, 7. Burger Schoeman, 6. Marnus Schoeman , 5. Jaco Nepgen, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Nick Schonert, 2. Ryno Barnes   (Captain),  1. Steph Roberts

Substitutes: 16. Matthew Dobson, 17. Brummer Badenhorst, 18. Patrick O’Brien, 19. RJ Liebenberg, 20. Marnus Hugo, 21. Du Randt Gerber, 22. Richard Lawson

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1271 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1469 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2240 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE