Madibaz hoping for comeback against UJ

A number of strategic changes have been made to the starting line-up of the FNB NMMU-Madibaz squad for their second home game in the fourth round of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International in Port Elizabeth on Monday night.

The home team is hoping to make a comeback from their 40-13 drubbing at the hands of the FNB Ikeys earlier this week when the game against FNB UJ kicks off at the NMMU Madibaz Stadium at 7pm.

“Although we put in a good effort earlier this week, we were weaker than UCT on the night and some changes had to be made,” said Madibaz head coach David Maidza.

Although the 23-man squad is more or less the same, Maidza has opted to make a number of strategic moves with regard to the starting line-up to tighten up the team’s performance.

Three significantly unchanged positions will be captain Jarryd Buys, who will help to control the game at fullback, Tythan Adams, who holds onto right wing, and vice-captain CJ Velleman in the number six jersey.

Eighth man Andisa Ntsila will make his return after sitting out the last game due to a slight concussion, a move that sees Ivan-John du Preez join the replacements.

Yamkela Ngam will also be returning to the starting fifteen at left wing after a brief absence, while Brian Skosana slots into the utility back position on the bench.

Devon Lailvaux holds onto number 12, while Michael Bernardt is set to come back from injury at outside centre, sending Andile Jho to the bench in the number 21 jersey.

After sitting out last week’s game, Steven Hansel replaces Ruan Allerston at fly-half.

Ivan Ludick steps up off the bench into scrumhalf Daniel Acker’s position, with Acker taking a rest on the bench.

Flanker Jody Reneke joins the starting line-up at number seven.

Warrick Venter switches places with Dane van der Westerhuizen at hooker, while Brendan Olivier replaces Steven Robesson as tight head prop.

Rudolph Odendaal returns from the knock on his shin to claim the utility forward position on the bench at number 18 alongside Stephen Zaayman at number 19.

In response to their loss against Ikeys on Monday night, Maidza said the team had been working consistently to improve their form ahead of the next game.

“We have to work on our attack strategy for the next game and just keep pushing to see results.”

Maidza said he was confident that the Madibaz squad were preparing well ahead of Monday’s match.

“UJ will definitely be tough opposition, without a shadow of a doubt. But we just have to back ourselves and make sure our accuracy and discipline are top notch. If we do that, we should decrease our errors by at least 30 per cent and be well-placed.”

FNB Madibaz: 15 Jarryd Buys (captain), 14 Tythan Adams, 13 Michael Bernardt, 12 Devon Lailvaux, 11 Yamkela Ngam, 10 Steven Hansel, 9 Ivan Ludick, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Jody Reyneke, 6 CJ Velleman (vice captain), 5 Rob Louw, 4 Paul Tyler, 3 Brendan Olivier, 2 Warrick Venter, 1 Arno Ebersohn. Replacements: 16 Dane van der Westerhuizen, 17 Steven Robesson, 18 Rudolph Odendaal, 19 Stephen Zaayman, 20 Daniel Acker, 21 Andile Jho, 22 Brian Skosana, 23 Marzuq Maarman