Rugby
Botha ready to make Griquas debut─── MORGAN PIEK 14:00 Fri, 25 Jun 2021
The star Central University of Technology Ixias tighthead prop, Janu Botha, is relishing the opportunity to make his Currie Cup debut for the Tafel Lager Griquas on Saturday during the derby against the Toyota Cheetahs.
Botha, who will play off the bench is one of three debutants in the Griquas outfit along with the centre Jay-Cee Nel and the loose-forward, Henco Beukes.
The scrumming chef, Botha, told OFM Sport that he looks forward to his debut and playing against his former Ixias teammates.
“I'm really excited to make my debut. Hopefully, I can get on the field and make an impact.
“I think it's going to be an amazing challenge to play against the Cheetahs in my first game. The Cheetahs are old rivals of the Griquas and it's going to be an experience.
“It's awesome that I'm going to get to play against my former teammates at the Ixias. It's going to be great because we know each other.
“Especially Janus (Venter), I spent a lot of time scrumming next to him when he was at hooker and I was at tighthead.
“So, it's going to be a strange experience to scrum against him. I can't wait and I think it's going to be one for the books.”
Saturday’s derby at Tafel Lager Park kicks off at 13:00. Meanwhile, on Friday night at 19:00 the Bulls host the Pumas at Loftus Versfeld.
Griquas – 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Jay-Cee Nel, 12 André Swarts, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Stefan Ungerer (captain), 8 Hanru Sirgel, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Jeandré Leonard, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel.
Replacements – 16 HJ Luus, 17 Andrew Kuhn, 18 Janu Botha, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Henco Beukes, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 Theo Boshoff, 23 Ederies Arendse, 24 Ashlon Davids, 25 Enver Brandt, 26 Tijde Visser.
Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Tian Meyer, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Gideon van Wyk, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Jean Drosté, 5 Rynier Bernardo, 4 Victor Sekekete, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Wilmar Arnoldi, 1 Cameron Dawson.
Replacements – 16 Janus Venter, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Reinier Viljoen, 20 Lohan Potgieter, 21 Mihlali Mosi, 22 David Brits, 23 Cohen Jasper.
@MorganPiek OFM Sport
