DHL Western Province head coach John Dobson has made 6 changes to his starting team for Saturday’s ABSA Currie Cup clash against the Steval Pumas at DHL Newlands.
As expected, Dillyn Leyds will start at fullback – in place of the injured Cheslin Kolbe – with Kobus van Wyk moving up from the bench to start in the No 14 jersey.
In the final change to the DHL WP backline this week, Springbok scrumhalf Jano Vermaak will make his 1st start in Blue & White Hoops, having come off the bench last week to score a valuable try for his new team.
Up front, meanwhile, loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff has not recovered from his chest niggle, handing Oli Kebble a start in the No 1 jersey.
In the 2nd row, Jan de Klerk will make a 1st start at this level, with Jean Kleyn getting a deserved rest on the bench, and skipper Nizaam Carr returns to assume the team captaincy and the No 8 jersey.
Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who started at No 8 last week, will pack down on the side of the scrum – at No 7 – with Jurie van Vuuren, a last-minute starter last weekend, reverting to the bench. The hard-hitting Rynhardt Elstadt is still unavailable with a thigh injury.
The new faces on the bench this week are fit-again hooker Michael Willemse (in for the injured Scarra Ntubeni), prop Ali Vermaak and utility back Jaco Taute.
Coach John Dobson told the www.wprugby.com website: “Jan de Klerk deserves a start in the No 4 jersey and we have a plan with Jean Kleyn in the 2nd half.
“Unfortunately, Steven Kitshoff will join Scarra Ntubeni, Rynhardt Elstadt and Cheslin Kolbe on the sidelines this week, but it gives Oli Kebble a big opportunity on the loosehead side and Ali Vermaak is deservedly back in the mix too.
“This match is hugely important for us in terms of our home semifinal hopes, so it’s good to have our captain Nizaam Carr back and we’re keen to see how Jano Vermaak goes in his 1st start.
“On the whole, I am looking for a big improvement – as I said last week – in terms of our discipline and sustained attack and we’re hoping to attract a nice crowd at DHL Newlands given that it’s a 15:00 SA Time kick-off.”
Saturday’s match between DHL Western Province and the Steval Pumas will NOT be televised live on SuperSport, so make sure you get down to DHL Newlands to support your team in Blue & White hoops!
Starting at just R 20.00 for standing room, with seats ranging between R 30.00, R 35.00, R 40.00 and R 50.00, match tickets can be bought at Computicket – either online (see our ticketing page, http://wprugby.computicket.com) or in-store – and also from Shoprite / Checkers stores and the DHL Newlands Box Office.
The DHL Newlands stadium bar, the 100s Bar, will remain open after Saturday’s ABSA Currie Cup action for fans to take in the RWC action as the Springboks take on Samoa in a big Rugby World Cup Pool B match in Birmingham (kick-off 17:45 – SA Time)!
DHL Western Province: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr (Captain), 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble
Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Jean Kleyn, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Demetri Catrakilis, 22 Jaco Taute.
Date: Saturday 26 September
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-Off: 15:00 SA Time (13:00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Divan Uys