Leopard’s last defeat here was in 1999

Rugby
An exciting clash is in store between two proud rugby unions.
Andrew Poolman
    - 2023-05-05 00:00:00
The visiting Leopards from Potchefstroom will put their winning record of more than two decades against the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias on the line in tomorrow’s Mzansi Challenge match at Jan Wilken Stadium in Walvis Bay.
The Namibians should be well rested from their bye weekend, looking to launch the final stretch of their campaign that concludes with matches against the Leopards, Kenya Simbas (13 May), Boland Kavaliers (27 May) and Eastern Province (3 June), all in Windhoek.
Coach Chrysander Botha’s team are currently fifth on the log with five points. Two weekends ago, their last match against the San Clemente Rhinos just frustatingly slipped away from them (24-25), but still gives them much to build on.
The Leopards are ninth with just one from 3 matches, after their meetings with the Goshawks and the Simbas were both cancelled.
The North West Province team is boosted by a good number of members of this year’s triumphant Varsity Cup champions NWU Eagles squad, that beat Ikeys in the final.
They include the Eagles prop and captain Sampie Swiegers, joined by both his fellow front-rowers, as well as lock Wihan Nel, wing Hardus Pretorius and fullback Tino Swanepoel. The latter has been especially vibrant this season, scoring some electric tries with his quick footwork or short kick-and-chases.
Leopards team: 1 Ruan (Sampie) Swiegers, 2 Vernon Paulo, 3 Ruben du Plessis, 4 Wihan Nel, 5 Vincent Maruping (captain), 6 Arminn Posthumus, 7 Kwezi Mafu, 8 HP Swart, 9 Dok Cupido, 10 Lionell April, 11 Keenan Twigg, 12 Dunvan van Vuuren, 13 Danrich Visagie, 14 Hardus Pretorius, 15 Tino Swanepoel.
Reserwes: 16 Carl Wijburg, 17 Henri van der Westhuizen, 18 Jumbo Haitembu, 19 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 20 Jandre de Beer, 21 Tjaart Benade, 22 Ryan Smit, 23 André Grobler.

FORM GUIDE
The Leopards’ season so far (includes Currie Cup first division):
4 March: lost to Valke (Brakpan) 27-43.
11 March: beat Boland Kavaliers (Potchefstroom) 33-32.
25 March: v Zimbabwe Goshawks (cancelled).
8 April: v Kenya Simbas (cancelled).
15 April: lost to Eastern Province (Despatch) 20-24.
22 April: lost to SWD Eagles (Potchefstroom) 25-33.
29 April: lost to Boland Kavaliers (Bredasdorp) 3-12.