Unchanged Ikey Tigers for Bay clash

Running hard – UCT lock Don Armand (Photo Peter van As)
UCT coaches John Dobson and Kevin Foote have stuck with the team that comprehensively beat Victorians last week and only have one bench change to report for the clash with False Bay tomorrow.

The hugley anticipated derby will no doubt attract a large and vocal crowd – to ensure it will be a spectacle worth remembering UCT have upped the off field activity on the day with DJ, MC, the Tiger Mascot and a lively Pub.

On the field it will be a monumental battle, with False Bay flying high after beating 2009 champions Hamiltons as well as Helderberg. There is a lot of long standing and healthy rivalry between both clubs, with a number of former UCT players now in the visitor’s line-up. There also seems to be a particular focus on Wynberg old boys, when old friends and competitors go head to head.

The Ikeys team is unchanged apart from Sam Peter coming back onto the bench for Greg Mallet.

Captain Nick Fenton Wells who celebrated a two try return to the team last week is spearheading a potent backrow with Zandy MacDonald and Luzuko Panya. Last week’s man of the match Nic Groom will look to up his game and the combination with flyhalf Matt Rosslee even more, which will be instrumental in setting up the hard running centre pairing of Sean van Tonder and Mark Esterhuisen as well as the pacy back three.

The main battle of course will be happening up front, where False Bay boasts a lot of experience with former Ikey Herbie Mayosie and first league stalwart Mark Fahr propping down in green – up against the relative youth of Wes Chetty and Grant Kemp. Another UCT Old Boy Lungelo Payi will be up against his fomer lock partner Bodo Sieber and the in form Don Armand – the Bay might also send on another former Ikey lock in Graham ‘Snoopy’ Knoop who will be eager to prove a point.

There is certainly lots to play for – UCT have not lost on the Green Mile this year, apart from a narrow 14:12 defeat by Vodacom Cup South winners Boland in pre-season and are determined to keep things that way.

Elsewhere there are a staggering seven Ikeys on the mix for Western Province in their Vodacom Cup semi final this weekend, three of them who have played for UCT this year are Martin Muller, Yaya Hartzenberg and of course Ash Wells.

Conditons are promising for a great day of rugby at a predicted 23C with Gentle South Easterly wind. See you on the Green Mile, where 3rds kick off at 13.35 – the Eagles and U20 A1s at 14.45 and the 1st team at 16.00!

UCT Ikey Tigers: 15 Marcel Brache, 14 Paul Cohen, 13 Mark Estherhuizen, 12 Sean van Tonder, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Matt Rosslee (vice-captain), 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nick Fenton-Wells (captain), 7 Enoch Panya, 6 Zandy Macdonald, 5 Bodo Sieber, 4 Don Armand, 3 Grant Kemp, 2 Mark Goosen, 1 Wes Chetty.
Replacements: 16 Matt Page, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Levi Odendaal, 19 Sam Peter, 20 Sharief Hendricks, 21 Pete Haw, 22 Zubayr Abrahams.