Johnny Kotze
DHL Western Province backline ace Johnny Kotze has been entrusted with the No 13 jersey for Saturday’s ABSA Currie Cup clash against the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
Kotze, 22, replaces the injured Juan de Jongh at outside centre in the only starting change from last weekend’s hard-fought 9 / 3 win over the Toyota Free State Cheetahs in Cape Town.
Kotze made 8 Vodacom Super Rugby starts for the Stormers earlier this season (on the wing), but this will be his 1st ABSA Currie Cup start – having made his tournament debut off the bench 2 weeks ago against the ORC Griquas.
DHL Western Province coach John Dobson told the www.wprugby.com website: “It was always our intention to get Johnny into the No 13 jersey at some point, but of course, it has now been necessitated by Juan’s injury.
“We certainly are very excited about this opportunity for Johnny – he is a skilful and level-headed player and I have no doubt he will flourish at this level.”
There are also 3 changes on the Province bench this week, with Springbok squad member Scarra Ntubeni replacing Marius Fourie as the hooker replacement, Chris van Zyl replacing fellow lock Jan de Klerk and Huw Jones coming in for Kobus van Wyk as specialist centre cover.
Jones will be on ABSA Currie Cup debut for DHL Western Province, despite making 14 appearances for the DHL Stormers this year.
Dobson added: “With Juan out we need cover at inside centre and Huw gives us a great option off the bench in that position.
“It was a tough call leaving Kobus out, but we have picked a team we believe can do the job for us at Loftus Versfeld in what should be a fast-paced encounter.”
DHL Western Province (3rd place on the Log), the Xerox Golden Lions (2nd) and the Vodacom Blue Bulls (1st place) are the only remaining unbeaten teams after 2 Rounds of 2015 ABSA Currie Cup action and Dobson is expecting a hard-fought North-South Derby in the ‘Bullring’.
“This won’t be a typical North-South Derby in that the Bulls are evolving as a team under their new coaching staff,” he said.
“We’re certainly looking forward to the challenge of playing in Pretoria – a full Loftus Versfeld in a North-South Derby is one of the most beautiful sights in South African rugby, plus a dry, fast pitch will lead to a more open game… unlike last week’s tough one in the wet.”
DHL Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr (Captain), 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Chris Cloete, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Huw Jones.
Date: Saturday 22 August
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-Off: 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant Referees: Jaco Pretorius, Ricus van der Hoven
TMO: Vos Willie