'Nothing to lose' for Cobras babes.(Sports)

BYLINE: Zaahier Adams

"MAGICAL BABES" was the affectionate name for former Western Province coach Harry Viljoen's rugby team in the mid-1990s.

If the team selected by Cape Cobras coach Richard Pybus for tonight's MTN40 clash against the Warriors has similar success, it could be the start of a new era at Newlands.

Pybus has placed his faith in three rookies - spinner Dane Piedt (20), left-arm paceman Beuran Hendricks (20) and all-rounder Lenert van Wyk (21) - to change his team's desperate fortunes at Newlands.

The trio have played just five matches for the Cobras between them, with big-hitting Van Wyk yet to have an opportunity to bat after playing in two matches last season.

Along with Stiaan van Zyl (23) and Richard Levi (22), it will be the youngest Cobras side to take the field in years.

This injection of youth had partly been forced upon Pybus by his team's current five-match losing streak and the unavailability of Herschelle Gibbs due to a groin injury he sustained last week.

Off-spinner Piedt has been the most impressive thus far, with his youthful exuberance shining through on his debut last week when he claimed 3/22 against the Knights.

Although he was less successful on Sunday against the Dolphins, it's this energy Pybus will hope for tonight.

"We young guys just want to be involved. We are desperate to do well," Piedt told the Cape Times yesterday.

"We've been told there isn't any pressure on us with the team already out of semi-final contention. We just need to go out there and perform. We have nothing to lose."

The Old Mutual protege showed in Kimberley that he was not afraid to flight the ball to allow for maximum "revs" in order for it to turn appreciably. The amount of drift he managed through the air was also impressive, and he credits former Proteas star Paul "Gogga" Adams for this.

"I have worked with Paul for the last two-and-a-half years, and he has given me lots of technical advice. I still looked up at him in the commentary box on Sunday when I was struggling, so I am very much still a 'work in progress'," the former Sacs pupil said.

The young Cobras side will at least have the experienced Charl Langeveldt back as he has recovered from his flu to guide them against the Warriors.

Cobras squad

Justin Kemp (capt), Andrew Puttick, Lenert van Wyk, Stiaan van Zyl, Justin Ontong, Robin Peterson, Owais Shah, Richard Levi, Beuran Hendricks, Rory Kleinveldt, Dane Piedt, Charl Langeveldt, Monde Zondeki.

Dane Piedt's sister, Lee, is currently on tour in Hong Kong where she is entertaining crowds in the hit show High School Musical. The Cobras will hope they have their own Zac Effron in Dane to entertain a desperate Newlands crowd tonight. - Zaahier Adams

'Nothing to lose' for Cobras babes.(Sports)

BYLINE: Zaahier Adams

"MAGICAL BABES" was the affectionate name for former Western Province coach Harry Viljoen's rugby team in the mid-1990s.

If the team selected by Cape Cobras coach Richard Pybus for tonight's MTN40 clash against the Warriors has similar success, it could be the start of a new era at Newlands.

Pybus has placed his faith in three rookies - spinner Dane Piedt (20), left-arm paceman Beuran Hendricks (20) and all-rounder Lenert van Wyk (21) - to change his team's desperate fortunes at Newlands.

The trio have played just five matches for the Cobras between them, with big-hitting Van Wyk yet to have an opportunity to bat after …