Rose to start for Griquas

Published: Wednesday, 27. July, 2011 in category Southern Hemisphere

Springbok Earl Rose will start at flyhalf in a much-changed Griquas team to face the Pumas in a Currie Cup match in Nelspruit on Friday.

Griquas coach Abrie Minnie has left the pack unchanged from the side that suffered a humiliating 11-49 loss to the Golden Lions last week.

However, the backline shows four changes - with only fullback Riaan Viljoen, wing Richard Lawson and centre Barry Geel retaining their places.

Former Maties ace Jean Stemmet will start at outside centre, alongside Geel, in place of Wilmaure Louw.

Dusty Noble starts on the left wing, in place of Sevens legend Fabian Juries, whilst Rose and Marnus Hugo are the new halfback combination - with superstar Sarel Pretorius still out injured.

Shannon Rick, who has started in the No.9 shirt over the past fortnight, drops out of the squad altogether.

Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Richard Lawson, 13 Jean Stemmet, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Dusty Noble, 10 Earl Rose, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Jonathan Mokuena (captain), 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Justin Downey, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Dobson, 17 Jean Botha, 18 Frikkie Spies, 19 Burger Schoeman, 20 Warren Malgas, 21 Matthew Rosslee, 22 Rudi Vogt.

Date: Friday, July 29
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker 
Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Linston Manuels 
TMO: JC Fortuin