Gifted with plenty of pace and fancy footwork, promising winger Luther Obi has been at the centre of a tussle between the Lions, Bulls, Leopards and Cheetahs for his services.

This powerhouse has, however, ended his contract with the Cheetahs to join the Phakisa Pumas for a two-year deal. This St Benedict’s College old boy moved down to Pukke University to start his tertiary education in 2012.

Playing for the Leopards in the u/19 Currie Cup, it was this winger’s outstanding performances in the 2013 Varsity Cup that earned Obi a call up to the Baby Boks for the IRB Junior World Championship.

He finished off his 2013 season with a Currie Cup debut for the Leopards. Obi, who was born in Nigeria, but played his junior representative rugby at the Lions, represented the Junior Boks at the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship.

A proven finisher, he has played for the Leopards at senior level in 2018’s Currie Cup first division, making 14 appearances and scoring eight tries in total.

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He left the Bulls in 2017 to join the Cheetahs. He was on the Bulls’ books since late 2015, and while he played in two matches during the Currie Cup qualifiers in 2016, he missed a large chunk of the season due to an injury.

Coach Jimmy Stonehouse and his team have, however, given the green light for Obi to start on left wing against the Cheetahs on Saturday. He will replace Etienne Taljaard.

The Phakisa Pumas are hoping to end their 2019 Currie Cup campaign on a high note. Jeandre Rudolph will take the reigns after captain Ryan Nell was deemed unfit to play due to an injury.

Henko Marais will replace Nell in the number 12 jersey.

The tight five will remain unchanged from last week’s clash against DHL Western Province at Newslands.
Andrew Beerwinkel and Marné Coetzee will play prop, with Marko Janse van Rensburg on hooker.
Le Roux Roets and Stefan Willemse will remain in the lock position.

Rudolph (captain) will move from last week’s number eight jersey to open side flank. Springbok 7’s player Carel du Preez recovered from his injury and will return to flank, replacing injured Francois Kleynhans. Willie Engelbrecht will therefore wear the number eight jersey.
Ashlon Davids and Chris Smith will remain the halfbacks. Alwayno Visagie and Morné Joubert will remain in the respective centre positions, while Devon Williams will stay at full-back.

The replacements are Simon Westraadt, De-Jay Terblanche, Hilton Lobberts, Phumzile Maqondwana, Ginter Smuts, Ruwellyn Isbell, Kobus Marais and Ngoni Chidoma.

Kick-off will be at 14:00 and tickets are available at the ticket office or on Computicket.