Crucial game for Wildeklawer Griquas this weekend.
For Wilderklawer Griquas, time is running out to not end up at the bottom of the log. Their game against the Valke (Falcons) from Brakpan which is to be played here at home (GWK Park, Kimberley) at the rescheduled time of 17.00 on Saturday 23rd August 2008, could well be to the advantage to both sides as the weather predicted for Saturday is; hot, windy and dusty with the temperature probably topping 28°C.
After eight rounds of the Currie Cup, Griquas have not fared well due to many reasons, mainly continual injuries to key players and a lot of bad luck.They have had some really bad decisions taken against them with some less than good refereeing and have lost two of their games due to these unlucky decisions. If decisions go against you, it tends to destroy morale and unfortunately this has added to their woes.
With a number of their crucial players still out due to injuries and sickness (`flu) and hopefully some of these will be coming back in the next few weeks, coach, Dawie Theron has to juggle with those fit players that he has and a few doubtfuls, who could still play that are on the mend and can still be included in the team for Saturday`s game. With a shortage of players in the lock position, the good news is that lock, Brendon Snyman who has been off for a good few weeks will be in this week`s starting lineup and hopefully he will bring some of the much needed inpact lacking in the forwards to the game.
Wildeklawer Griquas have to win this weekend, and if at all possible come away with a bonus point so as to move up from the bottom, and that can only happen if the Boland Cavaliers lose to the Sharks at their home ground in Wellington next week Friday.(29th September 2008). The weekend after that (9th September 2008) they will be meeting Griquas here and hopefully by then will Griquas be on the mend with a win under their belts and ready to meet and challenge all comers in their next five games, all except one at home (against the Bulls) before the semis which it doesn’t seem likely that they have much chance of getting to.
What they must now work hard at now is to retain their chances of staying in the Premier Division and put this season behind them. They can always come back next year and cause some chaos with the bigger unions and again attain, at the very least a semi-final spot, and with luck even a chance in the final. If the want is there, nothing is impossible and Wildeklawer Griquas have always been a well respected side that can do just that.
They must rise to the challenge this weekend and show them that they are not to be written off so easily.
The Wildeklawer Griquas side for Saturday`s all important encounter, fitness and sickness overcome, will be: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Lafras Uys, 12 Herkie Kruger, 11 MJ Mentz, 10 Conrad Barnard, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Heinrich Stride, 7 Stephan Gerber, 6 Gareth Krause, 5 Brendon Snyman, 4 Wayne van Heerden, 3 Ruaan du Preez, 2 Hans van Dyk and 1 Albertus Buckle.
Valke: Nicky Kritzinger; Dewald Pretorius, Rouan Cloete, Hanno Coetzee C, Ernie Kruger; Len Olivier, Poerie van Rooyen; Sean Plaatjies, Emile Verster, Warren Perkins, Marius Coetzer, Wouter Moore, Nico Pretorius, Jody Jeneker, Rassie van Vuuren. Reserwes: Frik Venter, Rayno Barnes, Ruhan van Jaarsveld, Doepie du Preez, Dean Okkers, Gerrie Odendaal, Mpho Matsaung
Daniel Reddie and Dave Alexander
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