Steven Kitshoff
Springbok training squad members Scarra Ntubeni and Steven Kitshoff will both start in the front row for DHL Western Province in Saturday’s ABSA Currie Cup clash against ORC Griquas at DHL Newlands.
Ntubeni replaces Bongi Mbonambi at hooker, whilst Kitshoff comes in for Ali Vermaak at loosehead prop, with coach John Dobson making a total of 5 personnel changes to the starting line-up that went down 21 / 28 to the Toyota Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last Friday.
The other changes to the DHL WP starting 15 sees Nic Groom and Kurt Coleman team up as halfback pairing, whilst livewire flanker Chris Cloete will start in the No 6 jersey with Rynhardt Elstadt filling in for Sikhumbuzo Notshe (shoulder) in the No 7 shirt.
On the bench, meanwhile, Chris van Zyl is over his knee injury to slot in as the lock replacement, fit-again Jurie van Vuuren will provide loose forward cover and inside back Robert du Preez is set for his 1st taste of ABSA Currie Cup action this season.
Dobson told the www.wprugby.com website: “Scarra and Kitsie will provide experience and energy up front and both are deserving of their starts, despite Kitsie joining us this week only.
“I’m also expecting a lot from Chris Cloete, who has made a difference from the bench in recent weeks and although Notshe’s injury is a blow it does give us an opportunity to have a decent look at Chris in the No 6 jersey.”
Looking at the changes amongst the Province backs division, Dobson added: “Demetri has been our 1st choice flyhalf for some time, but we feel the time is right to give Kurt a go – as was always our intention after 4 games – and, of course, look at a younger player like Rob du Preez in a bid to give him game time.
“We are very fortunate to have some talented No 10s in this union, each with his own strength, and we need to ensure that each player is given adequate game time to press his selection claims.”
After 2 weeks on the road, DHL Western Province will play their 1st home match since mid-August and Dobson said: “It’s always great to be back home at DHL Newlands. Yes, it’s been a tough 2 weeks, nobody likes losing, but we are not about to panic. Instead, we remain determined to turn things around in front of The Faithful on Saturday.”
Match tickets are still available for Saturday’s ABSA Currie Cup action at DHL Newlands.
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, 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 Western Province Under 19 and Under 21 teams will also both be playing in curtain-raisers against the Leopards (at 12:45 and 14:45, respectively) on Saturday. Match tickets are valid for all 3 games at DHL Newlands.
DHL Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr (Captain), 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 JP Smith, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Godlen Masimla, 21 Robert du Preez, 22 Dillyn Leyds.
Date: Saturday 5 September
Venue: DHL Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-Off: 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT)
Referee: Jaco van Heerden
Assistant Referees: Rodney Boneparte, Archie Sehlako
TMO: Johan Greeff
I think Scarra and Kitchoff will have minimal effect…
The real headlining changes is that the Greek is dropped.
Subheading, Chris Cloete on the openside.
Big difference… I still wonder what Van Wyk can do at 12 if given the chance, but I also understand the need if having a bigger player in the back three.
and Kolbe oh Kolbe must also be tethering on the brink?
To bring Coleman back is taking a huge step backwards.
What is the use to give a player who has on numerous occasions proved he cannot handle pressure and does not have what it takes to play at this level yet another chance?
Everybody knows he will stuff up again the moment WP plays against a strong team and he is put under pressure.
The most talented all round flyhalf in the WP is currently the under 20 player Brandon Thomson and the sooner they give him exposure at this level the better.
I would therefore have started this game with du Preez and played Thomson off the bench.
2 @ robzim:
Agree with you.
But I said last week I think Jaco Taute is a big part of WP’s problem area as well. Does not distribute well and is very leaky on defence.
I think Kitskos is very unlucky to lose out on the Rugby World Cup, would definately have had him in the squad as Loosehead backup. I understand he is 1 on the standby group though, as 1st choice Loosehead backup.
Come now WP.
Give poor Griquas a win.
Just for the rest of us.
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