CAPE TOWN – Western Province coach John Dobson has made a number of changes to his backline for Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final against the Golden Lions at Newlands (5pm kickoff).
Dillyn Leyds, who started at left wing last week, moves to fullback, with Damian Willemse dropping to the bench.
In the other positional switches, Ruhan Nel takes his place on the left wing, while EW Viljoen – who was rested last week – returns to form the centre pairing with Huw Jones.
Scrumhalf Jano Vermaak returns from injury and could make an appearance off the bench, and upfront, flank Kobus van Dyk is the only change to the forward pack that started in the 31-20 win over the Sharks in Durban last weekend.
Dobson says his players are determined to make the most of home advantage at Newlands.
“It is going to be a special occasion for everyone involved with a Currie Cup home semi-final at Newlands, so we are looking forward to it,” he said.
“The players have worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and now the challenge is to make the most of this opportunity.”
Teams For Newlands
Western Province:
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Ruhan Nel, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Bench:16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Jano Vermaak, 22 Werner Kok, 23 Damian Willemse.
Golden Lions:
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Len Massyn, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen (captain).
Bench:16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Rhyno Herbst, 20 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 21 Sylvian Mahuza, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 Robert Kruger.
@WynonaLouw