Welwitschias kickoff campaign
The Welwitschias will host defending Currie Cup first division champions, the Down Touch Griffons, tomorrow, after weeks of preparation.
Eight teams will kick off their Currie Cup season this weekend, with the Welwitschias hosting the Down Touch Griffons at the Hage Geingob Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
The Griffons are looking to build on their successful 2017 season, in which they suffered only one defeat. However, they will be wary of the Welwitschias, who tested them to the limit last season.
The Namibian side are now in their third season of the Currie Cup's first division and are desperate to improve on their performances, which reflects only one win in 12 matches so far.
The team was mentored last season by former Welsh international, Lyn Jones, who has left for greener pastures, after being appointed as the new head coach of the Russia national team. The Welwitschias team is currently hunting for a new coach, with Unam coach Johan Diergaardt tipped to get the nod.
Other matches
SWD Eagles and Leopards will cross swords in today's opening Currie Cup encounter.
The Leopards will be hunting their fifth victory in six matches against SWD, although it could be a tight clash following their 42-42 draw in their last encounter last season in Potchefstroom.
The last time SWD defeated the Leopards in George was in 2014, which is expected to fuel their determination to win.
This will also mark an historic day in the Currie Cup first division, as South Africa's leading female referee, Aimee Barrett-Theron, will become the first woman to officiate a match at this level.In other clashes tomorrow, the Boland Cavaliers will meet Eastern Province in Robertson and the Valke will take on the Border Bulldogs in Kempton Park.
Eastern Province will be determined to start their season on a high against the Boland Cavaliers, after a disappointing season last year in which they failed to win a match. They are, however, expected to face a tough challenge from the 2017 semifinalists, who were victorious in the last three matches between the sides.
The clash between Border and the Valke could prove to be a tight tussle as well, given the number of closely-fought clashes between the teams in the last few years. The men from Kempton Park, who finished the pool stages last season in second place, registered a narrow 48-41 victory against their East London counterparts in their last outing; meaning they will not take the quality of the opposition for granted. The Welwitschias match will kickoff at 16:00. The Namibian squad is as follows: Chrysander Botha, Russell van Wyk, JC Greyling, Johann Tromp, Janry du Toit, Eugene Jantjies (captain), JC Winkler, Adriaan Booysen, Morné Blom, Thomasau Forbes, Rheinhardt Carelse, Denzil van Wyk, Desiderius Sethie, Obert Nortjé and AJ de Klerk.
Reserves: Jason Benade, Hauta Veii, Niël van Vuuren, Kami Mieze, Cameron Langenhoven, Justin Nel and Jamie Joseph. -
Additional reporting by NAMPA/ANA
The Griffons are looking to build on their successful 2017 season, in which they suffered only one defeat. However, they will be wary of the Welwitschias, who tested them to the limit last season.
The Namibian side are now in their third season of the Currie Cup's first division and are desperate to improve on their performances, which reflects only one win in 12 matches so far.
The team was mentored last season by former Welsh international, Lyn Jones, who has left for greener pastures, after being appointed as the new head coach of the Russia national team. The Welwitschias team is currently hunting for a new coach, with Unam coach Johan Diergaardt tipped to get the nod.
Other matches
SWD Eagles and Leopards will cross swords in today's opening Currie Cup encounter.
The Leopards will be hunting their fifth victory in six matches against SWD, although it could be a tight clash following their 42-42 draw in their last encounter last season in Potchefstroom.
The last time SWD defeated the Leopards in George was in 2014, which is expected to fuel their determination to win.
This will also mark an historic day in the Currie Cup first division, as South Africa's leading female referee, Aimee Barrett-Theron, will become the first woman to officiate a match at this level.In other clashes tomorrow, the Boland Cavaliers will meet Eastern Province in Robertson and the Valke will take on the Border Bulldogs in Kempton Park.
Eastern Province will be determined to start their season on a high against the Boland Cavaliers, after a disappointing season last year in which they failed to win a match. They are, however, expected to face a tough challenge from the 2017 semifinalists, who were victorious in the last three matches between the sides.
The clash between Border and the Valke could prove to be a tight tussle as well, given the number of closely-fought clashes between the teams in the last few years. The men from Kempton Park, who finished the pool stages last season in second place, registered a narrow 48-41 victory against their East London counterparts in their last outing; meaning they will not take the quality of the opposition for granted. The Welwitschias match will kickoff at 16:00. The Namibian squad is as follows: Chrysander Botha, Russell van Wyk, JC Greyling, Johann Tromp, Janry du Toit, Eugene Jantjies (captain), JC Winkler, Adriaan Booysen, Morné Blom, Thomasau Forbes, Rheinhardt Carelse, Denzil van Wyk, Desiderius Sethie, Obert Nortjé and AJ de Klerk.
Reserves: Jason Benade, Hauta Veii, Niël van Vuuren, Kami Mieze, Cameron Langenhoven, Justin Nel and Jamie Joseph. -
Additional reporting by NAMPA/ANA
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