Jantjes back for Jozi jaunt
15 Aug 2007
Conrad Jantjes has passed a fitness test and will start against his old side at Ellis Park.
The WP fullback missed last week’s 30-25 win over Griquas due to a knock to the head, but has been cleared to face the Lions, a team he represented until the 2007 season.
Coach Gary Gold has also included captain Luke Watson and Bolla Conradie in the starting line-up. The pair were a worry after the Griquas match, with Watson complaining of a sore knee and ribs and Conradie carrying an elbow niggle. Both will be subject to a final fitness test on Thursday but the coach is fully confident they will feature.
One player who hasn’t recovered from the game is Tonderai Chavhanga, who damaged his hamstring in Kimberley. This injury sees Breyton Paulse earn his first start in 2007.
Another man who will face his old mates this Saturday is Schalk Brits, who has been rotated with Tiaan Liebenberg for the starting hooker position.
“It is a small factor when choosing between two talented players,” said Gold. “Tiaan had the opportunity to play his old union last week and by putting his hand up he has created a situation that makes it hard for the coaches, but one we want at this union.
“I’ve spoken to both of the players and because there is a very small gap between them we have decided to work on a rotation system. They have different strengths, but it’s great to have that kind of competition within the team.”
Gold said both Brits and Jantjes will undoubtedly relish the chance to face their former team-mates, just as Liebenberg did in Kimberley.
“These guys do enjoy the opportunity to go out there and play against their mates.”
Jantjes missed last year’s Currie Cup due to injury and has no experience of playing under Loffie Eloff as a head coach. However, he expects plenty of running from the Johannesburg outfit.
“I’m sure Loffie will have told them to have a go as they have plenty of good attacking players,” he said. “Experience may play its part though, as they have a lot of young guys who haven’t played much at this level.”
Gold, however, confirmed WP will not be taking anything for granted and the Lions attack will be closely marked.
“Our defence wasn’t up to scratch against Griquas, especially out wide. We have been working very hard on that this week.”
WP – 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Breyton Paulse, 13 Corne Uys, 12 Peter Grant, 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Bolla Conradie, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Justin Melck, 6 Luke Watson (c), 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Gerrie Britz, 3 Eddie Andrews, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Subs: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Selborne Boome, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Paul Delport, 21 De Wet Barry, 22 Gio Aplon.
By Jon Cardinelli
28 Comments
15 Aug 2007, 12:19 pm
Bobo + Jantjes.
15 Aug 2007, 12:28 pm
would have started with tiaan and de wet
15 Aug 2007, 12:29 pm
Tac
Still awake? Damn that security booth must cold and lonely.
15 Aug 2007, 12:36 pm
we are again putting faith in Eddie and Schalk…I’m less confident with that.
9 Delport
8 Melck
7 Louw
6 Watson
we will win the ball on the ground
15 Aug 2007, 12:40 pm
Jantjes will have a blinder against his former team.
Breytie will score a try and do his backflip.
Louw will slow down Lions ball at the rucks.
Eddie and Schalk will struggle in the scrums though.
15 Aug 2007, 12:44 pm
wpw tell us something about Eddie and Schalk that we don’t already know.
15 Aug 2007, 12:51 pm
Hope Jantjes has a shocker. Traitor.
15 Aug 2007, 12:55 pm
lion4ever
He might be a traitor but he sure is 100 times better than Earl Rose!!!
bwahahahahahahaha
15 Aug 2007, 12:56 pm
loosehead
WHich team do you support?
15 Aug 2007, 12:57 pm
Come Gary lets not crock Luke Watson, obviously the player is not 100% well rest him coz we might lose him for the Super14 next year.
Where will Gary Gold be at, i bet’ch ya he will be some other union local or overseas giving his ‘expert’ impetuous input.
15 Aug 2007, 13:00 pm
Ag , Easy win for Province !
15 Aug 2007, 13:03 pm
What you guys think of Grant playing centre ? I think he’s more a centre than a flyhalf. Can spot a gap nicely and strong runner. WP now have to find a decent flyhalf for next year. Grant must stay at centre for the S14 next year. Things looking good , very good indeed. We getting there , slowly but surely.
15 Aug 2007, 13:05 pm
As the incredible Schalk gets older…we should consider moving him to 8th man, where he and the open sider play to the ball…with the traditional blind side being a ball carrier.
Also…give Watson another week and play Pieter Louw!!
15 Aug 2007, 13:08 pm
I would rather have Grant at Flyhalf, because I don’t see us having a strong defensive 10, other than him.
I hope we eventually play Dollie and would be curious on how that goes….but he is a smallish guy.
15 Aug 2007, 13:15 pm
Yes, Dollie a little small ne , but i am sure things will fall into place soon. I mean Rassie know’s what he want’s and i am sure WP rugby will support him.
15 Aug 2007, 13:16 pm
Where’s Russel, is he injured at the mo or what?
15 Aug 2007, 13:20 pm
Russel was on a plane 2 weeks (?) ago.
I struggle to think of who I would play at 10 if not Grant.
15 Aug 2007, 13:27 pm
seak1
Can you remember what Jake said about JDV, he considering of converting him into a flyhalf. You think he will be a good flyhalf ?
15 Aug 2007, 13:27 pm
Pete77
Russel already went overseas he is not in sa anymore.
Andre-wp
This will not be an easy one for wp. Lions consistency is coming right. Wp wont win upfront and you need your forwards to dominate. Cobus Grobbelaar is a champ when it comes to winning loose ball.
Grant is playing beter at centre because you have more space there still think he will become one of the best flyhalf in the world.
15 Aug 2007, 13:31 pm
nr nine
Sure hope so , i like the guy. He will become a good player with the right coach and players around him. Yes i know it’s going to be a difficult one for province. I am just talking big again , always do that and than we get a hiding lol. But who cares , always good to give the guys a go at it. Well looking forward to a good running game. Playing at home or away ?
15 Aug 2007, 13:35 pm
#13 – Schalk has many skills, but good / soft hands are not amongst those – which is required at 8.
15 Aug 2007, 13:51 pm
Jantjies is still good. His break last week showed his class, his step is still excellent but we also saw he lacked some pace.
The Lions will win by 10
15 Aug 2007, 14:06 pm
I heard rumours that Rassie was talking to Willem de Waal and trying to get him to move to WP.
Having Luke and Jantjes back in the team is excellent news. Not so sure about Bolla though, would rather have Delport there – Bolla’s getting a bit slow.
That being sad, as long as De Wet Barry’s not there, I’m more than happy…
I think this one will be mighty, mighty close…
15 Aug 2007, 14:07 pm
…by 10 country miles, that is.
15 Aug 2007, 14:15 pm
Go the Lions!!!!
I’m a big Janjes fan, such a pity he’d kipping in Slaap Stad these days…would have loved to see him on that Tri Nations tour too cause I think he coulda played a role at the WC.
Oh well Ellis, look out there are some rooinek and lions fans on the way;-) Hope there’s a good crowd…
(You know just an odd though: Ellis always looks so empty on the box, even with a 20 thousand strong crowd, and I’m sure this contributes to the low turnout cause people assume there’s no atmosphere there when really its still awesome…why can’t Supersport film it from the East stands looking west? The main stands are always well stocked with fans (and of all shapes, colours, ages, gender and sizes too). It would just give a must better reflection of what it feels like to be down there.
Also anyone know if the Sky Divers are back? They have always been awesome to watch coming down round Ponte and JHB Stadium.
15 Aug 2007, 16:02 pm
Jamied….
Cozz that time of the day the sun is always shining on the East Stand (sets in the west remember..LoLz)….so it wont make for great photography…..and we might end up not seeing much….
16 Aug 2007, 10:30 am
Pretty sure i saw brent russell after the namibia match last night… could be wrong. Glad that rob diack has kept his spot:)definate improvement against griquas.
16 Aug 2007, 11:28 am
Will be a good 60 mins. Lions will then take them by 15.
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