Jannes's ban leaves Cats high and dry

As if they don't have enough going against them, the Cats will not have Jannes Labuschagne back for next week's match against the Highlanders.

The Cats had been under the impression that the broad-shouldered lock would be available next week at the completion of his 23-day ban. However, SA Rugby's manager of policies and regulations Christo Ferreira said on Thursday that the ban would only run its course at midnight on the 15th. The Cats play the Highlanders at 5.05pm that afternoon. Labuschagne will only be eligible from the next day.

"The sentence is actually spelt out quite clearly. It states that the is ban from February 21 until midnight on March 15. That means he's only eligible from the 16th," Ferreira said.

He wasn't prepared to speculate why the Cats were under the impression Labuschagne would be available for the Highlanders match.

"I faxed Jannes's sentence to them on January 24. That's well before the season started," Ferreira said.

Labuschagne was banned following a late shoulder charge on Jonny Wilkinson at Twickenham on November 23 last year. He was red carded for the offence and later banned.

The Cats have been missing Labuschagne's strong presence in the second row. They have been unable to dominate teams in the tight five, but Labuschagne's return it is hoped will address the situation.

Coach Tim Lane wants his tight five to display more aggression, but without Labuschagne a lot of responsibility rests with fellow lock Kleinjan Tromp. While the Cats' played with more authority in the line-outs after the introduction of Marco Wentzel last week, they are yet to maul like the cohesive unit of recent seasons.

Labuschagne's return is now set for the 22nd of this month against the Hurricanes in Bloemfontein.

The Brumbies, meanwhile, have vowed to go on to the field with a different approach against the Cats at Ellis Park this evening (7.10pm).

The Brumbies started poorly in the first half against the Sharks last week and were 19-0 down at one stage.

Flyhalf Stephen Larkham admitted the team was "flat" in the first half last week, citing Durban's humidity as a factor. He said it took them 40 minutes to get their second wind before staging a spirited fightback against the Sharks, who ultimately prevailed 25-17.

Larkham said the Brumbies had concentrated on handling at this week's training, knowing that if they fail to beat the last-placed Cats, they will leave South Africa without a win for the first time in four years.

The situation, however, is even more chronic for the Cats. They are yet to register a point on the Super 12 points table and have to improve immeasurably on last week's defeat against the Waratahs to topple the Brumbies.

On the Brumbies' last visit to Ellis Park midfielder Rod Kafer converted a last-minute drop to deny the Cats.

Teams

- Cats - Jaque Fourie; Ashwin Willemse, Jorrie Muller, Gcobani Bobo, Friedrich Lombard; André Pretorius, Enrico Januarie; Bob Skinstad (captain), Joe van Niekerk, Hendro Scholtz; Marco Wentzel, Kleinjan Tromp; Baksteen Nell, James Dalton, Pietman van Niekerk. Substitutes: Adrian Jacobs, Kennedy Tsimba, Norman Jordaan; Russel Winter, Jaun Smith, Pat Barnard, Lawrence Sephaka, Hanyani Shimange. Coach: Tim Lane

- ACT Brumbies - Joe Roff; Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock/Joel Wilson, Matt Giteau, Mark Bartholomeusz; Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain); Scott Fava, George Smith, Tamaiti Horua; Daniel Vickerman, Justin Harrison; Ben Darwin, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young. Substitutes: Andrew Walker, Pat Howard, Travis Hall; Mark Chisholm, David Giffin, David Fitter, Digby Beaumont. Coach: David Nucifora

- Kick-off: 7.10pm

- TV: Live on M-Net/SS1

- Referee: Paul Honiss