The former Central University of Technology Ixias scrumhalf and captain, Xavier Swartbooi, is set and excited to make his debut for the Griquas this weekend.

Swartbooi has been named in the Griquas starting team for their Airlink Cup round three game against the Leopards that will be played in Kimberley.

Swartbooi still represented the Ixias in the Varsity Cup this year, and this is his first crack at the big leagues.

The versatile Swartbooi told OFM Sport that after his concussion he is ready to take to the field.

“I'm really excited and look forward to the opportunity,” said Swartbooi.

“I'm just looking forward to making my Griquas debut as the starting number nine. I had a concussion for the past few weeks and I missed out on the first two rounds.

“So I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of Saturday.”

Swartbooi has previous played a bit of rugby for the Sharks XV in Durban.

The former Boland winger, Dylan Maart, who was recently a part of the Blitzboks setup in Stellenbosch, will also be on debut for the Peacock Blues.

At 14:00 on Saturday the Pumas will tackle the Griffons, while at 16:00 the Griquas will face the Leopards.

Griquas - 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Jay-Cee Nel, 11 Marcqiewn Titus, 10 Eddie Fouché, 9 Xavier Swartbooi, 8 Carl Els, 7 Lourens Oosthuizen, 6 Niel Otto, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Athenkosi Khetani, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Cebo Dlamini.

Replacements - 16 Eddie Davids, 17 Gustav du Rand, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Stephan Smit, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Sako Makata.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport