DHL WP, the 2012 Absa Currie Cup winners and 2013 finalists, will take on the Steval Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium with vice-captain Pat Cilliers back at tighthead prop and Brok Harris moving down to the bench.
Scrumhalf Nic Groom and utility back Michael van der Spuy will join Harris on the bench this week, with coach Coetzee once again reverting to a more traditional four / three split (forwards / backs) amongst his replacements.
That means that prop Oli Kebble misses out, after making his ABSA Currie Cup debut from the bench against Griquas at DHL Newlands last Saturday, whilst Godlen Masimla also drops out this week now that Groom (SC Joint) is back to full fitness.
“The Pumas are unbeaten at the Mbombela Stadium this season, so it will be a tough challenge for us but one we’re looking forward to,” Coetzee told www.wprugby.com.
“The challenge is to win away from home in the Absa Currie Cup – especially after slipping up in Johannesburg two weeks ago – and we need to show the same kind of intensity and accuracy that we showed in the first half against Griquas, but for 80-plus minutes.”
DHL Western Province currently lie in first position on the 2014 Absa Currie Cup table, with 29 points from seven games (six victories). The Pumas are in fourth position on 19 points (four wins from seven games).
DHL WP: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (Captain), 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Justin Geduld, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Pat Cilliers (Vice-captain), 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Alistair Vermaak
Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Manuel Carizza, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Michael van der Spuy.
Referee: Jaco van Heerden
Assistant Referees: Christie du Preez, Stefan Breytenbach