De Jongh set for Province return from the bench
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province have received a major boost ahead of their Currie Cup match against Griquas on Wednesday.
Centre Dan du Plessis, flank Nama Xaba and hooker JJ Kotze have all returned from injury and will start for Western Province in their Currie Cup encounter wih the Griquas at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.
There are six changes to the starting line-up that will face the Kimberley side in a clash that kicks off on Wednesday.
Rikus Pretorius shifts to outside centre to partner Du Plessis in midfield while Godlen Masimla is at scrumhalf in the other change to the backline.
There are two new flanks in the fit-again Xaba and Johan du Toit, who comes in for the injured Hacjivah Dayimani.
The other two changes are in the front row, with tighthead prop Sazi Sandi making his first start of the campaign alongside Kotze.
The extended replacements bench also includes lock JD Schickerling and centre Juan de Jongh who could make his first appearance for Western Province since 2016.
Western Province Head Coach John Dobson said that the focus for his team is on putting together an accurate performance in all departments.
“We know that we can raise our game in a number of areas and we are excited to see what some of the players coming in can add against what will be a motivated Griquas side.
“The key for us will be to execute our gameplan as clinically as possible to take some winning momentum into our break for the game against the British and Irish Lions next week,” he said.
Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Rikus Pretorius, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Reinach Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Niel Otto, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Abner van Reenen, 24 Andre-Hugo Venter, 25 Justin Basson, 26 Juan de Jongh.
Date: Wednesday, July 7
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 15.45 (13.45 GMT)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni
Photo credit: @WP_Rugby
