Junior Bok boost for DHL WP

DHL Western Province have been boosted by the inclusion of two Junior Springbok world champions in their starting line-up to face the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Riley Norton and Gino Cupido have been included in the starting XV for the Carling Currie Cup encounter at Toyota Stadium, which kicks off at 2pm on Saturday.

Joel Leotlela is on the left wing and will link up with Sevens stars Shilton van Wyk and Tristan Leyds in a speedy back three, while Cupido will partner Damian Markus in midfield.

Norton will make his senior debut at blindside flank, with Gideon van Wyk on the other side of the scrum in place of the injured Zain Davids.

Gary Porter takes over the captaincy from Davids and features in an unchanged tight five, while hooker Luca Bakkes and loose forward Enos Ndiao come onto the replacements bench.

Head coach Labeeb Levy said that his team id focused on producing an 80-minute performance in Bloemfontein.

“We have got some incredibly talented players coming in this week and they are surrounded by a settled core who are ready to raise the standards in every area.

“Travelling to Bloemfontein is always a big challenge but it is once we are embracing. We will need to be on our game from the first to the last whistle to get the result we need,” he said.

Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Banie Britz, 13 Marco Janse van Vuren, 12 Ali Mgjijima, 11 Cohen Jasper; 10 Franco Smith, 9 Rewan Kruger; 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Mihlali Mosi, 6 Gideon van der Merwe; 5 Victor Sekekete (capt), 4 Juan Venter; 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk. Replacements: 16 Marko Jansen van Rensburg, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Thabang Mahlase, 20 Sasko Ndlovu, 21 Jandre Nel, 22 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

DHL Western Province starting XV: 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Shilton van Wyk, 13 Gino Cupido, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Joel Leotlela; 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Asad Moos; 8 Louw Nel, 7 Riley Norton, 6 Gideon van Wyk: 5 Gary Porter (capt), 4 Alex Groves: 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo. Replacements: 16 Luca Bakkes, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Adam de Waal, 20 Enos Ndiao, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Luke Burger, 23 Jared Africa.

Broadcast: SuperSport Grandstand

Toyota Cheetahs v DHL Western Province - Saturday @ Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein (2pm)

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Assistant Referees: Sean Muller, Daniel Canhenga

TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni