Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
BRENDAN Dawson has made significant changes to his starting 15 for the Goshawks’ First Division clash against the Eastern Province Elephants.
The match will be played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
The Eastern Province clash will be the last chance for the Goshawks’ extended squad to impress Dawson, who is expected to name his Sables squad for the Rugby Africa Cup and 2023 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers next week.
The announcement is slated for June 10 at a gala event in Cape Town, South Africa.
It means the chosen side will have the final Currie Cup match against Valke and the Test against Netherlands to find their bearings before they head to France for the Rugby Africa Cup.
Building some sort of momentum during the next three matches will be key for the team going forward, and that starts with Saturday’s match against the Elephants.
For that match, Dawson has made 11 changes to the team that was mauled 37-nil by the Leopards in their last encounter, bringing in Tyran Fagan, Matthew Mandioma, Gabriel Sipapate, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Nyasha Tarusenga, skipper Hilton Mudariki, Connor Kennedy and Tavonga Ablant.
The Goshawks’ front pack of Victor Mupunga, Liam Larkan and Bornwell Gwinji have been relegated to the bench, and will be replaced by Fagan, Mandioma and Sipapate.
Late arrival, Matthew McNab, is expected to revert to his favoured wing position (left), replacing Marcus Nel who has since been moved to the right-centre position.
Mudariki returns to the starting line-up at the scrumhalf position, replacing Kyle Galloway, who also makes his way to the bench.
Shayne Makombe has been dropped from the match-day squad; his place being taken by Ablant at right wing.
The Goshawks are yet to score in two matches and will have their work cut out when they face the Eastern Province Elephants.
The Elephants currently lie second on the Currie Cup First Division log standings with 26 points from seven matches, as opposed to the eighth-placed Zimbabwe Goshawks who have 12 points from the seven matches.
Goshawks (Starting 15):
Tyran Fagan, Matthew Mandioma, Gabriel Sipapate, Sean Beevor, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Kelvin Kanenungo, Johan Du Preez, Nyasha Tarusenga, Hilton Mudariki, Takudzwa Musingwini, Matthew McNab, Taku Chieza, Marcus Nel, Tavonga Ablant, Conor Kennedy
Replacements:
Liam Larkam, Victor Mupunga, Bornwell Gwinji, Godwin Mangenje, Aiden Burnett, Kyle Galloway, Brendon Marume, Biselele Tshamala
Online Reporter