Rugby
No rest for Shimlas Marais and Botha─── 17:30 Wed, 15 Apr 2015
There will be rest for the University of the Free State Shimlas Varsity Cup winning stars, Niel Marais and Renier Botha.
The Shimlas halfback pairing has been named in the Toyota Free State XV for the Vodacom Cup clash against the EP Kings on Saturday afternoon.
Marais who was named as the Player that Rocks following Monday’s night’s 63-33 drubbing of Pukke in the Varsity Cup Final will start at flyhalf, while Botha will ride the bench.
Former Kings scrumhalf, Shuan Venter who returned with the Cheetahs Super Rugby side from Australasia on Monday start at scrumhalf alongside Marais.
Furthermore, Clayton Blommetjies who was also in New Zealand and Australia will start at fullback.
Coach Rory Duncan told OFM Sport that they will be tapping into the Shimlas team throughout the competition, but he doesn’t want to change too much on what is working.
Meanwhile, Kings coach Mzwandile Stick named a new captain as well as vice-captain for the match in Bloemfontein.
Injuries sees experienced former Western Province and Sharks centre Tim Whitehead being named as captain, where he replaces Shane Gates, while hooker the former the Leopards man, Edgar Marutlulle takes over as vice-captain from Tim Agaba.
Agaba stays at eighth-man, however Stick is of the view that Marutlulle's experience and communication skills would be more beneficial to the team.
Former Springbok U20 and Leopards wing Luther Obi as well as flyhalf Gary van Aswegen return to injury, and can add some serious bite to the team.
Pivot Tony Jantjies, younger brother of Elton and a U20 Bok as well is also over his injury and takes his place on the bench.
Saturday afternoons match at the Free State Stadium kicks off at 16:30.
Morgan Piek / OFM News
