With Jantjies rested, Masimla gets chance to shine

Scrumhalf Godlen Masimla gets another golden opportunity to move out of the shadow of Herschel Jantjies when the Stormers clash with Griquas in Kimberley in their next Preparation series clash on Tuesday.

Both teams lost their opening fixtures with the Stormers going down 34-33 to the Cheetahs at the Cape Town Stadium and Griquas losing 35-10 to the Sharks in Durban.

Jantjies is being rested along with other senior players, among them props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe, hooker Bongi Mbonambi and locks JD Schickerling and Salmaan Moerat.

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Masimla and young flyhalf Kade Wolhuter have been retained as a combination with coach Rito Hlungwani and head coach John Dobson opting for continuity by making just two changes from the Cheetahs match.

Griquas meanwhile will be without arguably two of their best players in flank Gideon van der Merwe, who scored their only try against the Sharks and is being rested, and fullback James Verity-Am, who is also sitting out.

And, following star scrumhalf Zak Burger’s departure to the Bulls, flyhalf George Whitehead has returned to take back the captaincy, while former Sharks and Pumas scrumhalf, Stefan Ungerer, will fill the place vacated by Burger.

Much of the focus in the match will be on new home team centre Michael Haznar, who’s formerly from the Cape and played alongside Ruhan Nel and Co, while visiting wing Sergeal Petersen will run out at fullback for the Capetonians.

Griquas: Masixole Banda, Ederies Arendse, Michal Haznar, Andre Swarts, Eduan Keyter, George Whitehead (capt), Stefan Ungerer, Siba Qoma, Stefan Willemse, Carl Els, Cameron Lindsay, Mzwanele Zito, John-Roy Jenkinson, Alandre van Rooyen, Mox Mxoli. Bench (from): HJ Luus, Andrew Beerwinkel, Tijde Visser, Ewan Coetzee, Jo-Hanko de Villiers, Ashlon Davids, Tinus de Beer, Daniel Kasende, Bandisa Ndlovu, Raegan Oranje, Harlon Klaasen.

Stormers: Sergeal Petersen, Sihle Njezula, Ruhan Nel, Cornel Smit, Leolin Zas, Kade Wolhuter, Godlen Masimla, Juarno Augustus, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marcel Theunissen, Chris van Zyl (capt), David Meihuizen, Neethling Fouche, Scarra Ntubeni, Ali Vermaak. Bench (from): Chad Solomon, Kwenzo Blose, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Evan Roos, Ernst van Rhyn, Paul de Wet, Chris Schreuder, Edwill van der Merwe, Sazi Sandi, Abner van Reenen.

Kickoff: 4.45pm.

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