Winter announced strong side to take on Welwitchias

Head coach of the Xerox Golden Lions Russell Winter has announced a strong team to face Welwitschias in the first Vodacom Cup match of the season.

Cyle Brink from Alberton will make a welcome appearance on the bench for the local Johannesburg side. He might get his much anticipated play time in the match against the Namibian side, which includes a couple of international players.

The match will be played in Windhoek, Namibia on Friday March 6 at 19:00.

The Xerox Golden Lions team is:

15. Damian Engledoe

14. Mark Richards

13. Jacques Nel

12. Alwyn Hollenbach

11. Anthony Volmink

10. Ashlon Davids

9. Ricky Schroeder (c)

8. Ruaan Lerm

7. Ruan Ackermann

6. Steph de Wit

5. MB Lusaseni

4. Bobby de Wee

3. Pieter Scholtz

2. Malcolm Marx

1. Dylan Smith

16. Ramone Samuels

17. Clinton Theron

18. JP du Preez

19. Cyle Brink

20. Lohan Jacobs

21. Rohan Janse van Rensburg

22. Vainon Willis

Experienced international Darryl de la Harpe will lead the FNB Welwitschias in Friday evening’s Vodacom Cup match against the Xerox Golden Lions in Windhoek. On Wednesday he was named captain of the side that includes no fewer than 13 players who have been capped for Namibia.

The team also features the inclusion of two members of Namibia’s u.20 group, flyhalf Henrique Olivier and outside centre Lesley Klim. Welwitschias coach Henry Kemp said the team was selected with the focus on the development of Namibia based players: “It will be a baptism of fire for those members of the team who have not played at a higher level, but we are confident that they will make the step-up as we are aiming to increase the depth of our player pool ahead of the Rugby World Cup later this year.“

Kemp, a former Bulls hooker and former Namibian international Roger Thompson, assistant coaches of the senior national side, will guide the Welwitschias in the Vodacom Cup this year.

The side will be known as the FNB Welwitschias and will play all their matches in Windhoek. After extensive trials a group of 32 players were named last week, from which the match 22 was selected.

Kemp said they had their work cut out getting the group to function as a unit. “We had six weeks to prepare and it took a lot of hard work to establish the system and game plan. Some players were used to functioning as individuals, and getting them used to a team environment was the major focus of this period.”

The NRU’s technical advisers, former Welsh internationals Phil Davies and Wayne Proctor, have also assisted with the team’s preparation for the match against the Xerox Golden Lions.

“Phil and Wayne were incredible in the manner in which they assisted us with technical analysis, fitness and training as well as game plan preparation. Their experience and insight has been invaluable for us as coaches and players,” said Kemp.

The FNB Welwitschias have been drawn in the Northern Section of the Vodacom Cup, along with the Limpopo Bulls, the Griffons, Valke, Leopards, Pumas, Blue Bulls and Golden Lions.

All seven matches will be staged at the Hage Geingob Stadium in the Namibian capital.

The FNB Welwitschias team is:

15. Russell van Wyk.

14.Phillip Nashikaku

13.Lesley Klim

12. Darryl de la Harpe (Capt)

11. Johann Tromp

10. Henrique Olivier

9. Arthur Bouwer

8. Zana Botes

7. Stef Botha

6. Thomasau Forbes

5. Morné Blom

4. Ulrich Engels

3. Andries Rousseau.

2. Rathony Becker

1. Quintin Esterhuizen (vice-captain)

Replacements : DG Wiese, Jaco Engels, Muniovita Kasiringua, Morton van Kradenburg, Eneill Buitendag, Shawn Kaizemi , Justin Nel .

Round 1 fixtures:

Friday March 6

Hino Valke vs Vodacom Blue Bulls

Kick-off: 15:00

Venue: Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park

Referee: Kurt Weaver (USA)

Steval Pumas vs Down Touch Griffons

Kick-off: 19:00

Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Referee: Ben Crouse

Saturday March 7

Leopards XV vs Assupol Limpopo Blue Bulls

Kick-off: 16:30

Venue: Profert Olen Park, Potchefstroom

Referee: Jason Jaftha