BlitzBok star to lead Western Province
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Province named an impressive side littered with former and current Sevens stars for their season-opening match against the Bulls on Saturday.
Loose forward Zain Davids will captain Western Province in their Currie Cup opener against the Bulls at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Davids is one of seven players in the starting line-up making their debut for Western Province, along with his Springbok Sevens teammates Shilton van Wyk, who got the nod at fullback, and Quewin Nortje on the wing.
Joining them are scrumhalf Asad Moos, No.8 De Wet Marais, lock Alex Groves and tighthead prop Cabous Eloff.
Van Wyk and Nortje are joined by Springbok Courtnall Skosan in a potent back three, with Luke Burger and Damian Markus in midfield.
Moos will partner Kyle Smith as the halfbacks, while Davids will have Marais and Louw Nel beside him in the loose trio.
Groves links up with Gary Porter in the second row, while up front Eloff is joined by the experienced duo of Scarra Ntubeni and Sti Sithole.
Talented young front row forwards Lukhanyo Vokozela and Mhleli Khuzwayo will make an impact off the replacements bench along with prop Arno Gustafson, lock Carlo van Greunen and loose forward Erhard Lambrecht, who are all products of the local club system.
Tristan Leyds, Sako Makata and Ezekiel Ngobeni provide the backline cover and will inject considerable pace and skill in the second half.
Western Province: 15 Shilton van Wyk, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Luke Burger, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Quewin Nortje, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Asad Moos, 8 De Wet Marais, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Zain Davids (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Alex Groves, 3 Cabous Eloff, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 Carlo van Greunen, 20 Erhard Lambrecht, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Sako Makata, 23 Tristan Leyds.
Date: Saturday, July 26
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Green Point
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT)
Referee: Sean Muller (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa), Charlwin Daries (South Africa)
TMO: Egon Seconds (South Africa)
