Falcons hope to draw from opening stalemate

The Falcons learnt a valuable lesson in the opening week of the Absa Currie Cup's qualifying competition last week.

Any side in an eight-team competition are capable of toppling their seven rivals and it is with this newly-developed respect for the opposition that Pieter de Villiers's team travelled to Port Elizabeth for their match against the Eastern Province Mighty Elephants on Friday night.

Both teams were held to draws last week, and the need to register the first win in the series cannot be overstated.

"They've got a good team, but I think we have better backs. We must try and maximise that advantage," De Villiers said.

The inclusion of former Springbok fullback Thinus Delport is sure to add thrust to his three-quarter line. Delport's call-up is one of three changes to the Falcons team that played to a 20-all draw with the Vodacom Eagles last weekend. Neil Papier starts at scrumhalf in place of Joggie Viljoen, while Jacques Niewenhuis is preferred to Stephan Britz on the flank.

The Mighty Elephants made only one change to the side that drew 26-all with the Boland Cavaliers last weekend, but it is a significant one.

Former Cats backliner Clinton van Rensburg has been promoted to the starting XV at flyhalf, with Monwabisi Mdyesha dropping to the bench.

In Friday's other matches, the Eagles host Griquas in George, the Bulldogs play the Cavaliers in East London and the Griffons will host the Leopards in Welkom.

Griquas have included former Blue Bull Dries Scholtz in their starting line-up, while Patrick Peterson was named at fullback ahead of Bobby Joubert.

Scholtz was a substitute in last week's match against the Griffons in Kimberley, but he made a huge impact when he eventually got a run.

FIXTURES

Eagles v Griquas 3.30pm

Bulldogs v Boland 7.10pm

Griffons v Leopard 7.10pm

Elephants v Falcons 7.10pm - Live on SS1