Uys is set to start at hooker in the Lowveld, marking his first game of the season following a lengthy injury lay-off. 

He was initially named to start in the recent fixture against Eastern Province in Kimberley, but was withdrawn at the last minute after the medical team decided he wasn’t quite ready. Aside from Uys, the Griquas will also be leaning on their experienced players – those who have a solid understanding of the Pumas and the conditions they'll face in Nelspruit this weekend.

Janco Uys and Eduan Swart. Photo: Morgan Piek

Griquas head coach Pieter Bergh told OFM Sport that Uys is exactly the kind of player he wants on the field for what promises to be a tough encounter.

“Yes, definitely, as I always say, he’s a very strong scrummaging hooker, and our scrum gains a lot of confidence when he’s out there,” said Bergh. “When he goes up against Eduan Swart, who can also play tighthead, it’s going to be two powerful scrummaging hookers going head-to-head.

“You need experience in matches like this. That’s why we’ve brought Carl Els back; experience counts. We’ve also included Phumzile Maqondwana on the bench. 

“He knows Nelspruit, knows the pitch, and knows what to expect from the Pumas. So we’ll be looking to our seasoned players to form a solid core on the field and lead by example.”

Friday’s crucial clash at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit kicks off at 19:00.

Pumas - 15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 Jeandré Leonard, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Etienne Reyneke

Replacements - 16 Darnell Osuagwu, 17 Stephan de Jager, 18 Dewald Maritz, 19 Heinz Bertram, 20 André Fouche, 21 Kwanda Dimaza, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Tino Swanepoel

Griquas - 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Gushwin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead (captain), 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Carl Els, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Corné Weilbach, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids

Replacements - 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Cebo Dlamini,19 Athenkosi Khethani, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Bobby Alexander, 22 Tylor Sefoor, 23 Mnombo Zwelendaba

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh