Welwitschias hoping to burst Sharks’ bubble

THE Welwitschias are ready to burst the Sharks’ Vodacom bubble early when the teams take each other on in their group match on Saturday.

The Namibians lost their first match in the Vodacom series against Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth by 12 – 47. However, on Saturday they’ll be playing on their home field and, as was proven in the past, the Welwitschias should be able to offer serious resistance in the Hage Geingob Stadium. It is expected that the results of Saturday’s match against the Sharks will be in the Welwitschias’ favour. Playing before local supporters, the men will be delivering piping hot rugby and everyone will want to run with the ball.

When playing home games, it seems that the Welwitschias could remain unbeaten. Unfortunately this doesn’t seem to be the case internationally where they look like a team of beginners. The Vodacom series is a development competition that offers players the opportunity to prove themselves and to convince coaches that they are ready for bigger matches. So Saturday is the ideal opportunity to show the Sharks some action.

The game kicks off at 16:00.
The Welwitschias are:
1 Johnnie Redelinghuis
2 Bertus O’ Callaghan
3 Raymond Dobson
4 Munee Tjizeua
5 Heinz Koll
6 Tinus du Plessis
7 Morné Blom
8 PJ van Lill
9 Eugene Jantjies
10 Crysander Botha
11 Tinus Venter
12 Darryl de la Harpe
13 Attie du Plessis
14 Bradley Langenhoven
15 Heini Bock
16 Sean Esterhuisen
17 Errol Weston
18 Vaughan Petersen
19 Renaud van Neel
20 Collin de Koe
21 Jackie Bock
22 Russel van Wyk

The Sharks are:
1 Sabelo Nhlapo
2 Kyle Cooper
3 Wiehahn Herbst
4 Jandré Marais
5 Gerhard Mostert
6 Nic Claasen
7 Lambert Groenewald
8 Marcell Coetzee
9 Ross Cronje (captain)
10 Guy Cronje
11 Anton Verster
12 Howard Mnisi
13 Jerome Pretorius
14 Sbura Sithol
15 Kobus de Kock
Reserves: Monde Hadebe,
Robbie Harri, Peet Marais,
Daniel Adonga, Cobus Reinach,
Fred Zeilinga and Piet
Lindeque.

The Welwitschias coach, Johan Diergaardt, made a few changes for the game. The Daily Sun wanted to know if the defeat last week forced Diergaardt and his technical team to make these changes. “The Vodacom series is an opportunity to identify talent and potential and I made a few changes to see how well players can adjust.

The very versatile Crysander Botha will replace Jackie Bock as fly-half. We know what Jackie can do, but we’d like to improve on our choices in this position. That’s why Chrysander Botha will jog on in the number 10 jersey. Chrysander’s full-back position will be filled by the other Bock, Heini, while Tinus Venter will move into left wing. We’re not pressing panic buttons, we’re experimenting.” The rumour in rugby circles is that the technical team should be worried after the 47-12 loss in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in PE. Earlier this week, Diergaardt said that he was worried about the team’s away games. “Our boys must play for each other and take on their opponents with confidence.

It is still early in the season and players have only had friendly matches. But now the time has come that players must show their mettle, proving that they are worthy of wearing the national jersey. We’re convinced that we’ll get a place for the World Cup in New Zealand.” If the Namibians win, they’ll move up in the log. The Sharks defeated the Blue Bulls by 30-19 last week in the Vodacom series and warned that they want to end the series with the title.

Local rugby supporters can expect a lot of action in Saturday’s game, especially since the Sharks haven’t been in the Hage Geingob Stadium for quite a while.

click to enlarge Heini bock