Eagles confident of toppling Griffons

South Western Districts Eagles coach Johann Lerm is confident that his side could secure a crucial away victory in Welkom when they take on the Griffons in a Currie Cup First Division match on Saturday (3.00pm).

The SWD Eagles struggled to build much momentum during their match against the Border Bulldogs last Saturday before defeating the East London team 14-13 at Outeniqua Park in George.

The Griffons though will be looking to bounce back to winning ways following their 29-16 loss to the Mighty Elephants in Port Elizabeth last weekend.

“I know we are capable of much better and I am convinced my players will come to the party. I know we are a good team that can beat the Griffons – even if it is in Welkom,” said Lerm.

The Griffons have also made wholesale changes to their side for their match against the Elephants.

A total of five changes have been made to the starting line up. In the backline, former Free State Cheetahs winger Eddie Fredericks comes into the side in place of Roelof Steyn while Darryl Coeries also gets a start in the absence of Fabian Juries.

At scrumhalf, Hugo Kemp is set to wear the number nine jumper in place of Gerrie Odendaal, who is relegated to the bench.

Two changes have also been made in to the forward pack with Sewes Oosthuizen (loose head prop) and Kevin Stevens (tight head prop) selected in the front row in place of Kobus Calldo and Sarel Louw.

Mighty Elephants coach Corné Korff has made three changes to his side for Saturday’s Currie Cup First Division match against the undefeated Pumas in Witbank at 3.00pm.

Newcomers Warren Whiteley (eighthman) and Yves Bashiya (flank) have both been included in the starting line up and will have the chance to prove themselves against the competition’s log-leaders, while the experienced Jaco van Schalkwyk is back at flyhalf in the place of Wesley Dunlop, who is relegated to the bench.

The Elephants (20 points), who are currently in third position on the First Division log, could jump to second place if they can topple the high-riding Pumas on Saturday.

Teams for the weekend:

Pumas – MJ Mentz, Braam Pretorius, Tiaan Marx, Shaun Venter, Allistair Kettledas, Valentine van Wyk, Hendrik van der Nest, Christo le Roux, Martin Sithole, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Marius Coetzer, Eduan van der Walt, Ashley Buys, Hannes Franklin (c), Dawie Steyn.

Reserves: Brett Nel, De-Jay Terblanche, Scott van Heerden, Nico Mostert, Jaco Bouwer, Hyron Thyse, Ashwin Johan.

Mighty Elephants – Carl Bezuidenhout, Rocco Jansen, Siviwe Magaba, De Wet Barry (c), Howard Noble, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Marlon Lewis, Warren Whiteley, Jacques Potgieter, Yves Bashiya, Ruahan van Jaarsveld, Andries Smit, Raoul Larson, Herkie Liebenberg, Pumlani Nodikida. Reserves: Robert Dyer, Sangoni Mxoli, Lubabalo Mzwakali, Enoch Panya, Chad Erskine, Wesley Dunlop, Alipate Fatafehi.

Griffons – Cecil Afrika, Eddie Fredericks, Werner Griesel, Thabang Molefe, Darryl Coeries, Kennedy Tsimba, Hugo Kleynhans, Nicky Steyn (c), Marnus Briedenhann, Albert Parsons, Gys Briedenhann, Windpomp van Rooyen, Sewes Oosthuizen, Herschol Johnson, Kevin Stevens.

Reserves: Gert Erasmus, Gert Greyling, Petros Methula, Sandile India, Gerrie Odendaal, Fabian Juries, Roelof Steyn.

SWD Eagles – Bevan Fortuin, Bobby Joubert, Izak Saayman, Joe Breytenbach, Baldwin McBean, Gaffie du Toit, Warren Malgas, Jody Burch, Shawn Raubenheimer, Victor Joubert, Hein Potgieter, Wikus Liebenberg, Tiaan de Kock, Wayne Bennet, Jaco Terblanche.

Reserves: Ashton Constant, Wickus Harmse, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Vincent Gwavu, Doughie Helmut, Ricardo Croy, Jano van Zyl.