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Griquas expect tough game against emerging Ireland team

NEVILLE MOTLHABAKWE NEVILLE.MOTLHABAKWE@INL.CO.ZA

WINDHOEK Draught Griquas will use today’s match against Emerging Ireland in Bloemfontein as a preparatory match ahead of the squad’s outing in the upcoming domestic Currie Cup season, said head coach Pieter Bergh in a virtual press conference.

The Griquas side that will run out against the Irish today will bleed several debutants in the squad. This has been the mantra for Griquas throughout the off-season. The squad has recently been fortified with several signings from other unions as well as from places such as the Varsity Cup.

Yesterday Berg made it known that this was “a great opportunity for everyone involved”. The fact that the visitors were bringing along their United Rugby Challenge players to these shores was an inviting prospect for the Griquas who “expect a tough game” in a rare international rugby match.

Berg said Griquas were aware that the Irish will use the opportunity in South Africa to give their rising stars the chance to play against quality opposition. Their plan is that those players will likely be drafted in their senior sides in their league”.

“It will be a difficult game for us but it is one game we’re really looking forward to. We don’t really often get the chance to play against international opposition and this our only real opportunity for the foreseeable future to play a game against a non-south African team.”

The Griqua coach

announced that he will start his game with a few debutants, among them Albert Liebenberg from Maties who has some international exposure on his résumé as well as Janco Venter the Namibian international and ex-saracens player, Bobby Alexander who played for Western Province while Eddie Fouché from Pumas will start at No.10.

Bergh also has options on the bench as well in the likes of Zimbabwean international Godfrey Muzanargwo and Melusi Mthabela. Some of the team’s reliables on the bench include George Whitehead, Ashlon Davids and Jaycee Nel who returns from injury and is now up for selection again.

The coach said in view of the domestic season likely poised to start in February, the match against Ireland would be a good place to give most of his players a run in a bid to boost their match fitness.

“We will use this chance presented by the Toyota Challenge as preparatory grounds for our matches in the upcoming domestic season. So we will look at giving most of our players a run. The idea is to check out some of our positional plays such as the wingers and to check what depth and options we have in the team”, Berg said.

The Griquas play the opener in Bloemfontein against Ireland in a lunchtime game stating at 1.45pm.

LINE-UP

Windhoek Draught Griquas (15-1): Malcolm Jaer, Raegan Oranje, Jay-cee Nel, Tertius Kruger, Luther Obi, Eddie Fouché, Bobby Alexander, Janco Venter, Werner Gouws, Niel Otto, Albert Liebenberg, Johan Retief,

Justin Forwood, Simon Westraadt, Kudzwai Dube. Bench: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Melusi Mthabela, 18 Janu Botha, 19 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 20 Michael Amiras, 21 Johan Mulder, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Ashlon Davids, 24 Francois Staples, 25 Thabo Ndimande, 26 Vaughen Isaacs.

SPORT

en-za

2022-09-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

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African News Agency