De Villiers starts for DHL WP against Sharks

Flank Paul de Villiers will make his first appearance of the season for DHL Western Province in the Carling Currie Cup encounter with Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in Durban on Friday night.

There are six changes in total to the starting line-up for the coastal clash, which kicks off at 7.10pm on Friday at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

De Villiers starts at openside flank, with the only other change to the forward pack seeing the experienced Cabous Eloff come in at loosehead prop.

There is a new halfback pairing, with scrumhalf Ezekiel Ngobeni making his first start and linking up with flyhalf Kyle Smith. The other two changes to the backline see Luke Burger and Jared Africa start on the wings.

Head coach Labeeb Levy said that after falling just short in Bloemfontein last week, his side is focused on delivering a full 80-minute performance in Durban.

“We have seen some improvements in standards as we get more cohesion as a unit but it has been frustrating not to get the results that we have been aiming for.

“There are a few rotations this week again and we are expecting a player of Paul de Villiers’ quality to make an impact on both sides of the ball.

“It will be another big challenge on Friday night, but this team is up for it and motivated to deliver,” he said.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV starting XV: 15 Hakeem Kunene, 14 Phiko Sobahle, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Marnus Potgieter, 11 Jaco Williams; 10 Jean Smith, 9 Ceano Everson; 8 Nick Hatton (capt), 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Tino Mavesere; 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Coetzee le Roux; 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Willem van den Hever, 17 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Drico Marx, 23 Albie Bester.

DHL Western Province starting XV: 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Jared Africa, 13 Gino Cupido, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Luke Burger; 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni; 8 Louw Nel, 7 Riley Norton, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Gary Porter (capt), 4 Alex Groves; 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Cabous Eloff. Replacements: 16 Luca Bakkes, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Enos Ndiao, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Asad Moos, 22 Ronald Brown, 23 Brendan Venter.

Hollywoodbets Sharks XV v DHL Western Province - Friday @ Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban (7.10pm)

Referee: Robbie Jenkinson

Broadcast: SuperSport