The Griquas rugby team is grappling with a severe injury crisis as they prepare for their upcoming Currie Cup bout against the Cheetahs in Kimberley this Friday. A significant blow was dealt with the loss of key players Cameron Hufke and Dylan Maart due to severe injuries.
Cameron Hufke, the team's fullback, has been sidelined for the season after tearing his posterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in a recent triumph over the Vodacom Bulls. Meanwhile, winger Dylan Maart faces a substantial recovery period after tearing shoulder ligaments. The team's injury list has alarmingly expanded from one to nine players within a month.
"We've actually got nine players out for this game. A month ago we only had one injury, but we're now sitting with nine unavailable,"
Pieter Bergh, the coach of the Griquas, expressed during an interview with OFM Sport. He also mentioned that players Keegan Blankenberg and Gustav Erlank are down for long-term recovery, though there is a silver lining with Eddie Davids, Malembe Mpofu, and Dylan Smith slated to return next week. Additionally, hooker Janco Uys is a few weeks away from returning from an Achilles injury.
On a positive note, the Griquas will see Stefan Coetzee rejoin the team from a minor niggle. He, Connor Mahoney, and hat-trick scorer Gurswin Wehr will comprise the back three. In the forwards, Janus Venter, a former Cheetahs hooker now with Griquas on loan from the SWD Eagles, is set to make his Griquas debut. Additionally, scrumhalf Jack Hart is poised for his Currie Cup debut after impressive performances during the Toyota Challenge in Bloemfontein.
The team line-up for the Griquas is as follows:
- 15. Stefan Coetzee
- 14. Connor Mahoney
- 13. Zane Bester
- 12. Mnombo Zwelendaba
- 11. Gurswin Wehr
- 10. George Whitehead
- 9. Bobby Alexander
- 8. Carl Els
- 7. Marco de Witt
- 6. Lourens Oosthuizen
- 5. Albert Liebenberg (c)
- 4. Lungisi Mbiko
- 3. Ig Prinsloo
- 2. Tiaan Lange
- 1. Leon Lyons
Substitutes:
- 16. Janus Venter
- 17. Corné Lavagna
- 18. Ntobeko Shezi
- 19. Carel van der Merwe
- 20. Phumzile Maqondwana
- 21. Jack Hart
- 22. Damian Markus
- 23. Sako Makata
As the Griquas face these challenging times with multiple key players injured, the depth of their squad will be tested in the upcoming games. The team's resilience and ability to adapt will be crucial in their clash against the formidable Cheetahs.
