Jacobs gets Valke Currie Cup start

The Valke have picked a flyhalf that hasn’t played any club or representative rugby this year to steer their ship out of stormy waters when they meet the Mighty Elephants in a Currie Cup first division clash in Kempton Park on Saturday.

Former Springs and Brakpan player Jonathan Jacobs has been given the No 10 jersey, taking over from Gido Horn who played earlier in the season and Petri Kunz who played in the compulsory friendly against Griquas.

The Valke have recalled former UJ scrumhalf Haas Snyman, who was injured against Griquas, and centre Franco Booysen, who missed the last game through injury.

The young Heidelberg flyer GD Kotze, who is a sevens specialist, starts on the right wing in his maiden first-class game, adding pace to the already quick Valke three quarters.

Kempton Wolves lock Martin Lombard has also forced his way back in the side while Liebrecht Gericke finds himself back on the bench. The front-row and loose-forwards are unchanged from the last match against the Pumas.

Valke team:

Tsepo Kokoali, GD Kotzé, Franco Booysen, Corné Uys, Wensley Mbanje, Jonathan Jacobs, Haas Snyman, Bovril de Bruin (capt), Bradley Fortuin, Reg Muller, Porra Knoetze, Martin Lombard, Lourens Grobler, Tango Gatya, KP du Plessis.

Replacements: BB Hefer, Jaques George, Eves Bashiya, Liebrecht Gericke, Alvandré Maart, Clinton Kayser, Dieter de la Porte.