There has been a late change to the DHL Western Province team for Friday night’s Absa Currie Cup clash against the EP Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (kick-off 19:10 SA Time).
At lock, Springbok squad member Eben Etzebeth will start on the bench, with youngster Jean Kleyn making his Absa Currie Cup debut in the No 4 jersey.
“We have monitored Eben’s workload at Springbok training this week, so we thought it would be prudent to start with him amongst the replacements on Friday,” explained DHL WP coach Allister Coetzee.
“Eben and Frans (Malherbe) are hungry to get involved after joining us from the Bok squad and we’re looking forward to both of them making an impact from the bench against the Kings.”
DHL Western Province team (Revised):
15. Cheslin Kolbe
14. Kobus van Wyk
13. Juan de Jongh (Captain)
12. Michael van der Spuy
11. Seabelo Senatla
10. Demetri Catrakilis
9. Nic Groom
8. Nizaam Carr
7. Michael Rhodes
6. Siya Kolisi
5. Manuel Carizza
4. Jean Kleyn
3. Pat Cilliers (Vice-captain)
2. Tiaan Liebenberg
1. Alistair Vermaak
Replacements:
16. Stephan Coetzee
17. Frans Malherbe
18. Eben Etzebeth
19. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
20. Louis Schreuder
21. Robert du Preez
22. Pat Howard
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Christie du Preez, Jaco Pretorius
TMO: Deon van Blommestein
Despite of what AC has said about “monitoring his workload”, it is probably the Bok camp that “requested” that he starts off the bench.
The bench is probably the strongest one that they had for years.