UCT gear up for Victorians

UCT coach John Dobson had to ring the changes to his side that will take on Victorians tonight in Stellenbosch, as a number of his stars have been called up for the SA Universities team to play a USA college selection following the UCT match at the same venue.

Regular flyhalf Matt Rosslee starts for SA Universities at center alongside Therlow Pietersen – the talented Tim Whitehead will cover on the bench. Ikeys and WP U20 lock Martin Muller also gets a start.

Vics just come off a big victory against Villagers and were one of only two teams to beat the Ikeys in the first half of the season.

On top of the call-ups, there are plenty of injuries in the UCT backs department, with regular 13 Dave Edgar still on the road to recovery, utility back Pete Haw sidelined with a hand injury, as well as speedster Marcello Sampson and Marvin Christians out injured. But the return of some first team veterans should ease the selection worries a bit.

The back three of Dave Clayton, Rob Hopwood and Justin Bijl will be back in action, while Ollie Braithwaite is taking over at flyhalf. The pack of forwards underwent some rotational changes.

Probable UCT Ikey Tigers team to face Vics:
15 Dave Clayton, 14 Rob Hopwood, 13 Andre Coetzer, 12 Sean van Tonder 11 Justin Bijl, 10 Ollie Braithwaite, 9 JP Robert, 8 JJ Gagiano, 7 Craig Kleu, 6 Luzuko Panya, 5 Michael Passaportis, 4 Bodo Sieber (captain), 3 Herbie Mayosi, 2 Hanyani Simange, 1 Dylan Rogers.

Replacements: 16 Dayne Jans, 17 Ashley Wells, 18 Shane Meier 19 Don Armand  20 Nick Fenton-Wells , 21 Chris Haw