
There are three changes to the DHL Western Province forward pack for the Carling Currie Cup clash with the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday (1.55pm kick-off).
The backline that started against the Vodacom Bulls last week remains unchanged for the encounter with the defending champions at Toyota Stadium.
Hendre Stassen and Paul de Villiers both start on the flank, having featured off the replacements bench last week, while Connor Evans moves to the second row in place of the injured Adre Smith.
The only changes among the replacements see flank CJ Velleman joined by Andre-Hugo Venter, who will be covering loose forward this weekend.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that he expects a sharper performance in what should be vastly different conditions.
"We were disappointed with aspects of our game last week but it should be quite a lot drier in Bloemfontein on Saturday which will definitely suit our game and we will definitely be better off with that match under our belts as there was no 'pre-season' for this group heading into the competition.
"We have kept continuity in selection and are excited to see what the likes of Hendre and Paul can add from the start, while it is also great to have a player of Andre-Hugo's quality in the mix as well.
"We know that it will take a much-improved performance to get the result we are looking for but it has been a constructive week and we have confidence in our plan so we should be in for an entertaining match against the Toyota Cheetahs," he said.
Cheetahs coach Izak van der Westhuizen announced his team with some changes on the bench.
Carl Wegner and Reinhardt Fortuin returned from the injury. Oupa Mohoje will provide cover on the bench. They replace Pierre Uys, Jandré Nel and George Lourens.
The referee for the match is Ruhan Meiring. He will be assisted by Phillip Kotze and Jason Morrow. The TMO is Christie du Preez.
The gates open at 10am and a match between the Women’s rugby teams from the Free State and the Lions will be held at 11am. The game will be live on SuperSport 211.
Free parking is available inside Toyota Stadium if you drive a Toyota and have a valid match ticket. Enter from Att Horak Avenue.
Supporters are urged to come early and stay to watch the Springbok and Ireland game afterwards on the big screen at the Castle Deck. Lalla will provide entertainment with live music.
Tickets are R70 for the main stand, R40 for the open stand, and only R30 for students and kids. Tickets are available online at www.ticketpro.co.za or at the ticket office in Toyota Stadium.
Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 Litha Nkula, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Daniel Kasende; 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger; 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe; 5 Victor Sekekete (capt), 4 Mzwanele Zito; 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Neels Volschenk, 22 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 23 Reinhardt Fortuin.
DHL Western Province starting XV: 15 Luke Burger, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids; 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Imad Khan; 8 Willie Engelbrecht (capt), 7 Hendre Stassen, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Gary Porter, 4 Connor Evans; 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Andre-Hugo Venter, 20 CJ Velleman, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Labib Kannemeyer, 23 Damian Markus.
Comments