Johan jackson tackles Sireli Naqelevuki

Raiders have been boosted with the addition of Lions winger Johan Jackson when they travel to La Rochelle on Saturday to take on the Union Bulldogs.

Jackson, born and bred in Rustenburg, has played Currie Cup rugby for the Valke and the Lions and Varsity Cup for Tukkies. The wing three-quarter represented the Leopards at junior provincial level.

With Jackson in the side Raiders field four current and former provincial players in Jackson, former Leopards fullback Anvor Schooney, Lions flyhalf Earl Rose and number eight Sean Plaatjies.

Another experienced campaigner, Lee Roebeck, returns after injury and replaces youngster Eddie Booysen, while another vet returns with Andile Tshume back up front in the place of André Hicks.

“We are expecting a tough game up front but the boys know what’s expected of them. We worked on a couple of new things this week, but we are still going to play the style that worked for us so far. We’ve made a few changes this week. Eugene Lourens needs a rest. He has been playing in all the games since the first friendly of the season,” says forwards coach Fernando Penshaw.

Raiders are currently in the fourth position on the log behind UJ, Roodepoort and Pukke.

Raiders vs. Union: Anvor Schooney; Johan Jackson, Duncan Witbooi, Heini Pedro, Gershawn Keyser; Earl Rose, Ronald Strydom; Sean Plaatjies, Gustav de Vos, Harold Primo, Lee Roebeck, Francois Benjamin, Tyler Jantjies, Lyle Sanders, Andile Tshume.