Power boost for the Cats
2005-03-10 15:43
Johannesburg - Cats coach Chester Williams has rung the changes as he bids to get his teams' Super 12 campaign back on track against the Waratahs at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Williams has made four changes to his starting line-up for the all-important clash against the Australians from the side that flopped against the Hurricanes last weekend.
The most notable addition is the return of big Os du Randt to prop the scrum after a layoff for injury and a groin operation. The popular Free Stater will undoubtedly make a difference to a team in need of a boost.
Utility back Jacque Fourie also makes a welcome return - after his sojourn with to Twickenham for the tsunami charity match - at the expense of out-of-sorts wing Ashwin Willemse.
Scrumhalf Michael Classens is struggling with a hip injury, but he will feature in the Lions opening Vodacom cup encounter on Saturday. His place is taken by Cheetahs team-mate Neil Powell.
The other changes are up front where the experienced front row combination of Marius Hurter, Naka Drotske and Ollie le Roux is broken up with just the hooker surviving. CJ van der Linde - who made such an impact coming on as a replacement against the Hurricanes - comes in for Hurter, while Du Randt returns after injury and surgery in the number one jersey.
Extra mobility to the points of breakdown
"We are looking for combinations and CJ and Os have worked together for three or four years now and Naka has played with Os for many years. It's important to ensure extra mobility to get to the breakdown situations," said Williams after announcing his team on Thursday.
The Waratahs are a classy side that traditionally starts the tournament well and Williams is fully aware of the task that awaits his team.
"We've been working hard on rectifying the errors we made against the Hurricanes. The guys are focused on the game. They know how important it is to win this week."
His sentiments were echoed by his captain, flanker Wikus van Heerden, who also acknowledged that the Waratahs are a tough team to beat.
Teams:
CATS: 15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. Jacque Fourie, 13. Jorrie Muller, 12. Wayne Julies, 11. Chumani Booi, 10. Andre Pretorius, 9. Neil Powell, 8. Juan Smith, 7. Wikus van Heerden (captain), 6. Cobus Grobbelaar, 5. Barend Pieterse, 4. Boela du Plooy, 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. Naka Drotske, 1. Os du Randt.
Replacements: 16. Schalk Brits, 17. Marius Hurter, 18. Gordon Gilfillan, 19. Hendro Scholtz, 20. Paul Delport, 21. Tiaan Snyman, 22. Dewey Swartbooi.
WARATAHS: 15. Mat Rogers, 14. Peter Hewat, 13. Morgan Turinui, 12. Nathan Grey, 11. Lote Tuqiri, 10. Shaun Berne, 9. Chris Whitaker (captain), 8. David Lyons, 7. Phil Waugh, 6. Wycliff Palu, 5. Daniel Vickerman, 4. Justin Harrison, 3. Alastair Baxter, 2. Adam Freier, 1. Matt Dunning.
Replacements: 16. Brendan Cannon, 17. Gareth Hardy, 18. Alex Kanaar, 19. Rocky Elsom, 20. Chris O`Young, 21. Ben Jacobs, 22. Winston Mafi.
- SAPA