Griquas centre cleared to play

Editor

Griquas centre Jonathan Francke has been included in the matchday squad for Saturday's clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Griquas centre Jonathan Francke has been included in the matchday squad for Saturday's clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Francke was cleared to play after receiving a red card for a dangerous tackle during last weekend loss to the Sharks in Kimberley.

Griquas coach Hawies Fourie made a couple of changes to his starting line-up after a disruptive week waiting for a decision on Francke.

Stalwart flanker Hilton Lobberts was struggling with a hamstring injury and is unable to play.

Maks van Dyk, the only prop in the current set up with Super Rugby experience, was relegated to the bench after a average performance against the Sharks, while wing Danie Dames was out with an injury.

“We've made changes to the side as we deemed necessary and one of those means that Maks will get game time from the bench,” said Fourie.

“With Hilton and Danie injured, we have included RJ Liebenberg and Ederies Arendse respectively, while Ewald van der Westhuizen gets his chance in the prop position.

“Jonathan is also on the bench after the whole red card incident and is replaced by the PJ Vermeulen at centre.”

Griquas: 15 Nico Scheepers, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 PJ Vermeulen, 12 Wayne Stevens (c), 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Carel Greeff, 7 RJ Liebenberg, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Jaco Nepgen, 4 Boela Serfontein, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Maks van Dyk, 18 Hugo Kloppers, 19 Burger Schoeman, 20 Abrie Griesel, 21 Marais Schmidt, 22 Jonathan Francke.

Date: Saturday, August 16
Kick-off: 15:00 local (14:00 BST, 13:00 GMT)
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Lesego Legoete, Francois de Bruin
Television match official: JJ Wagner
Assessor: Banks Yantolo