Share

Francke cleared for Griquas

Kimberley - Griquas centre Jonathan Francke, cleared to play after receiving a red card for a dangerous tackle last weekend against the Sharks, was named on the bench for Saturday's clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Coach Hawies Fourie made a couple of changes to his starting line up after a disruptive week waiting for a decision on Francke.

Stalwart flank Hilton Lobberts was struggling with a hamstring injury and not able to play. Maks van Dyk, the only prop in the current set up with Super Rugby experience, was relegated to the bench after a average performance against the Durban side, while winger Danie Dames was out with an injury.

"We've made changes to the side as we deemed necessary and one of those means that Maks will get game time from the bench," Fourie said.

"With Hilton and Danie injured, we have included RJ Liebenberg and Edries Arendse respectively, while Ewald van der Westhuizen gets his chance in the prop position.

"Jonathan is also on the bench after the whole red card incident and is replaced by the PJ Vermeulen at centre."

The Cheetahs were without props Coenie and Caylib Oosthuizen, and a number of players involved with the Springboks, but Fourie would not buy into the "favourites" banter which was part of the build up to Saturday's clash against their neighbours.

"We know what a huge challenge the Cheetahs will be. They always lift their game at their home ground.

"The put in a good performance against the Pumas last weekend even though they lost and we won't make the mistake of underestimating them.

"We've kept the rest of the side as is and hopefully that momentum will give us a much
needed boost after the loss to the Sharks."

Teams:


Cheetahs:
15 AJ Coertzen, 14 Rayno Benjamin, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Boom Prinsloo, 7 Jean Cook, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld (captain), 1 Kevin Stevens.

Substitutes: 16 AJ le Roux, 17 Dolph Botha, 18 Neil Claassen, 19 Waltie Vermeulen, 20 Shaun Venter, 21 Willie du Plessis, 22 JP du Plessis.


Griquas:
15. Nico Scheepers, 14. Edries Arendse, 13. PJ Vermeulen, 12. Wayne Stevens (captain), 11. Rocco Jansen, 10. Francois Brummer, 9. Tian Meyer, 8. Carel Greeff, 7. RJ Liebenberg, 6. Marnus Schoeman, 5. Jaco Nepgen, 4. Willem Serfontein, 3. Ewald Van Der Westhuizen, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Steph Roberts

16. Martin Bezuidenhout, 17. Maks Van Dyk, 18. Hugo Kloppers, 19. Burger Schoeman, 20. Abrie Griesel, 21. Marais Schmidt, 22. Jonathan Francke


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!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 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