The inclusion of fullback Clayton Blommetjies is one in every of a number of modifications to the DHL Western Province staff for his or her match in opposition to the Griffons in Welkom on Sunday.
Blommetjies, who final featured for the DHL Stormers through the Vodacom URC in December, has been named in a rejigged backline for the spherical 3 Currie Cup conflict at North West Stadium.
He begins at 15 instead of Luke Burger, who shifts to exterior centre in a brand new midfield pairing with Jonathan Roche. Jean-Luc du Plessis and Wandisile Simelane drop out of the matchday 23.
Roche and proper winger Jared Africa will probably be making their WP senior debuts, as will loosehead prop Mheli Khuzwayo and replacements Nicholas Roebeck and Andre Goedhuis if they’re used as substitutes.
Khuzwayo is about to pack down with tighthead Vernon Matongo, who earns a primary run-on outing within the 2024 Currie Cup after cameos in back-to-back defeats to the Vodacom Bulls and defending champion Cheetahs.
Louw Nel can also be promoted from the wooden to enhance a strong and dynamic free trio with skipper Willie Engelbrecht and Paul de Villiers.
Gary Porter has a brand new lock accomplice in Hendre Stassen, who shifts from blindside flanker to No 4 within the absence of Connor Evans.
Springbok speedster Courtnall Skosan will present cowl within the backline with Labib Kannemeyer and Damian Markus, whereas hooker Lukhanyo Vokozela is in line to make his first look of this yr’s competitors off the bench.
Director of rugby John Dobson stated that there’s a good mix of youth and expertise within the staff.
“Whereas we have now a couple of younger gamers getting a chance, there are additionally some clever older heads within the matchday squad that may present essential steering,” he added.
“It’s also nice to see extra native membership gamers getting like Nicolas Roebeck coming by and credit score should go to Jerome Paarwater for his work in figuring out extra promising expertise.
“The journey to Welkom will probably be good expertise for everybody concerned and we all know it must be a centered 80-minute efficiency if we’re to get the consequence we’re in search of.”
Western Province – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Jared Africa, 13 Luke Burger, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Willie Engelbrecht (captain), 7 Louw Nel, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Vernon Matongo, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Mheli Khuzwayo.
Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Nicholas Roebeck, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Andre Goedhuis, 20 CJ Velleman, 21 Labib Kannemeyer, 22 Damian Markus, 23 Courtnall Skosan.
Photograph: @TheCurrieCup/Twitter
