The squad announced this week contained a few surprises indicating that the team management brought new blood to the provincial side without much fanfare during the break.
The Windhoek Draught Griquas have released the names of their squad that will do duty in the upcoming domestic Carling Currie Cup series with the bulk of the team made up of players that propelled them to an appearance in last year’s final after a half a century.
Griquas ended last season on a high note, albeit without the Currie Cup trophy to cap a whole season’s commendable effort throughout the championship. The Kwaste were pipped to the topmost domestic rugby prize by a spirited Mpumlanga Airlink Pumas who ultimately laid claim to the title after they subdued Griquas in the final at Windhoek Draught Park in Kimberley.
The squad announced this week contained a few surprises indicating that the team management brought new blood to the provincial side without much fanfare during the break.
From Windhoek Draught Griquas we would like to wish new signing, Sako Makata the very best this weekend where he will be representing the @blitzboks at the Common Wealth Games. We hope and know you and the rest of the team will once again make South Africa proud. #windhoekdraught pic.twitter.com/r90Jww0mxg
— Griquas Rugby (@GriquasRugby) July 28, 2022
For starters the coaching duo of Pieter van der Berg and Barend Pieterse have been retained for the next round of domestic games. Berg still has two more seasons to run on his contract.
Griquas have shopped for players from peer domestic unions as well as the Varsity rugby outfits and the Springboks Sevens in an effort to widen their options at almost all positions.
New player alert! Windhoek Draught Griquas proudly announce the arrival of Thabo Ndimande to Kimberley. Thabo joins the team after representing Shimlas in this years Varsity Cup. Welcome to the Northern Cape! #windhoekdraught #eenkwas pic.twitter.com/jjW6qNVR3b
— Griquas Rugby (@GriquasRugby) August 3, 2022
Among the acquisitions Griquas made on the quiet is that of former Blue Bulls prop Cebo Dlamini who will now turn out in the peacock blue colours next season. Dlamini will up the competitive stakes for game time along the likes of Andrew Beerwinkel, Janu Botha, Eddie Davids, Kudzwai Dube, Justin Forwood and Andries Schutte.
The team management have also retained the services of hookers Gustav Du Rand, Janco Uys and Simon Westraadt.
There will be more jostling for play time among the Kwaste at lock with former Varsity Cup prodigy Albert Liebenberg joining the side from Maties. He comes with a reputation as a fierce enforcer and ruck clean out specialist.
Liebenberg joins fellow Griquas debutants, former Varsity Cup and Zimbabwe junior international squad player Godfrey Muzanargwo (23) including Mihlali Stamper, Thabo Ndimande, Bobby Alexander, Malcolm Jaer and Lubabalo Dobela.
About the acquisition of Dobela devoted Griquas fan Marius van Rensburg quipped on the team’s facebook page “Well done with Lubabalo Dobela. One of the best fly halves around. He is a true asset, fantastic player, great young man”.
In other related Griquas developments is that the side will on August 22 host their golf day at the Kimberley Golf Club.
The make-up of the Griquas team is:
Props: Andrew Beerwinkel, Janu Botha, Eddie Davids, Kudzwai Dube, Cebo Dlamini, Justin Forwood, Andries Schutte
Hookers: Gustav Du Rand, Janco Uys, Simon Westraadt
Locks: Albert Liebenberg, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Derik Pretorius, Mihlali Stamper, Johan Retief
Loose forwards: Michael Amiras, Carl Els, Werner Gouws, Thabo Ndimande, Niel Otto, Hanru Sirgel, Janco Venter
Scrumhalves: Bobby Alexander, Johan Mulder, Raegan Oranje
Fly Halves: Lubabalo Dobela, George Whitehead
Centres: Zander du Plessis, Eddie Fouché, Tertius Kruger, Jay-Cee Nel, Sango Xamlashe
Outside Backs: Ashlon Davids, Malcolm Jaer, Sako Makata, Prince Nkabinde, Luther Obi.
