Impi to break their duck?
FNB UKZN will be determined to bounce back and record their first victory of the 2012 Varsity Shield season in Pietermaritzburg on Monday when they host FNB Wits.
The Impi have not recorded a single point on the Varsity Shield log so far this season, and after their 61-10 loss to UWC last week they will be intent on showing what they are capable of on their home track at the Peter Booysen Sports Park.
In reaction to the drubbing they got in Belville last week UKZN coach Brian Bateman has made a number of changes to the starting line-up as he seeks to get their campaign back on track after a disappointing start.
There are five changes to the forward pack with both of the flanks that started against UWC moved to the bench and a new-look front row for the clash with Wits who are off a week's bye.
Robert Warnock and Lwazi Ncgungama get their chance to make an impression on the side of the scrum, while up front Bateman has made wholesale changes.
Blake Lourens moves from loosehead to tighthead prop to make space Luciando Santos in the No.1 jersey, and the coach will be hoping that last year's skipper Justin Meanwell brings some toughness back to the pack from hooker.
The UKZN backline has also been shuffled with Kurt Mavrodaris moving from inside to outside centre to make way for Carl Meyer who played at fullback against UWC. Meyer's spot at the back is taken by Sipho Evans as the Impi seek a fresh approach against Wits.
Wits will be hungry to register their first away win of the season and ensure that they keep in touch with log rivals UWC and CUT who will be doing battle in Bellville.
Last year's matches between KZN and Wits saw the latter emerge victorious twice - 22-12 in Pietermaritzburg and 51-5 in Johannesburg.
The teams:
FNB UKZN: 15 Sipho Evans, 14 Levy Swartz, 13 Kurt Mavrodaris, 12 Carl Meyer, 11 Yandisa Mdolomba, 10 Hanno Botha, 9 Jean-Pierre Rudman, 8 Leon Stevens (captain), 7 Lwazi Ncgungama, 6 Robert Warnock, 5 Wayne Le Roux, 4 Gerrit Fourie, 3 Blake Lourens, 2 Justin Meanwell, 1 Luciando Santos.
Replacements: 16 Sizwe Khubeka, 17 Langa Mahaye, 18 Sabelo Tshabalala, 19 Zwela Zondi, 20 Ruhan Smit, 21 Gareth Melle, 22 Richard Hayworth, 23 Monaheng Sililo.
FNB Wits: 15 Blake Dismore, 14 Zunaid Kock, 13 Heinke Hartdegen, 12 Rudolf Prinsloo, 11 Riaan Arends, 10 Kyle Peyper, 9 Brent Crossley, 8 Jason Fraser, 7 Devin Montgomery (captain), 6 Thato Mavundla, 5 Brendan Whyte, 4 Rinus Bothma, 3 Oliver Rochat, 2 Piers Cooper, 1 Katlego Kgame.
Replacements: 16 Tyrell Tintinger, 17 Phakamulumuzi Zuma, 18 Charles Baggott, 19 Petrus van Biljon, 20 Josh Durbach, 21 Bronson Lange, 22 Andrew Keightley-Smith, 23 Juandre Kirkham.
Date: Monday, February 20
Venue: Peter Booysen Sports Park, Pietermaritzburg
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: Lusanda Jam
Assistant referees: Tony Correia, Local (TBC)
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