WP change 7 for must-win Pumas Currie Cup clash
Western Province coach John Dobson has made seven changes to his team for their Currie Cup clash against the Pumas at Newlands on Friday.
Kick-off is at 19:00.
INJURY-ENFORCED AND ROTATIONAL CHANGES
Three of the changes are injury-enforced and the other four are rotational for the Round 3 clash.
Injuries to Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel and Juarno Augustus see Tristan Leyds, Michal Haznar and Jaco Coetzee, respectively, make their first starts this season.
Leyds is on the wing, while Haznar will link up in midfield with Rikus Pretorius who is back in the starting line-up.
Paul de Wet starts at scrumhalf in the other change to the backline.
Among the forwards, Coetzee is at No 8, while the other two changes see lock David Meihuizen and hooker Scarra Ntubeni come into the starting XV.
READ | SPRINGBOKS TO END 2020 AT NO 1 IN WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS
Dobson said that his team are looking forward to playing at Newlands again.
“It is a short week for us and we can’t wait to get out there at Newlands and put together an 80-minute performance.
“We are looking forward to seeing what the players coming in can add as we target an accurate display on Friday,” he said.
WP are in a battle for semi-final spots making Friday’s match a must-win encounter.
WP (21 points), are fighting with the Sharks (24 – with a game in hand), the Lions (20) and Cheetahs (17 – with a game in hand) for the three remaining playoff spots.
The Bulls have moved clear of the chasing pack on 32 points.
TEAMS:
Western Province
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Michal Haznar, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Tristan Leyds, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes (from): 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Johan du Toit, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Dan du Plessis, 24 Kwenzo Blose, 25 Marcel Theunissen, 26 Sihle Njezula
Pumas
TBA