Brok leads Province into battle
Seasoned prop Brok Harris will captain Western Province in their final Currie Cup league match, against the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday.
Western Province have already qualified for a home semifinal, by virtue of their top of the log finish with a game in hand, and head coach Allister Coetzee has handed starts to captain Harris, fit-again Springbok hooker Tiaan Liebenberg and flyhalf Kurt Coleman, who will make his 50th appearance for Province.
Inside centre Jaco Taute was not considered for selection due to a rib injury, with Michael van der Spuy and Pat Howard combining at centre this week.
Wings EW Viljoen and Devon Williams will get their first taste of Currie Cup action, whilst forwards Oliver Kebble (prop) and Jurie van Vuuren (lock) will earn first-ever starts at this level after impressing off the bench last weekend.
Forwards Justin Ackerman (prop), Gavin Annandale (lock/flank) and Patrick O'Brien (loose forward) are all in line to make their first-ever Currie Cup appearances from the bench, along with utility back Chevandre van Schoor.
A familiar face on the bench this week is that of former Western Province captain Anton van Zyl, who joins the matchday squad following injuries to first-choice locks Jean Kleyn and Ruan Botha.
"It's a great opportunity to expand the capacity of our squad," explained WP coach Allister Coetzee at Thursday's team announcement.
"I'd love to be in the position to have some selection headaches for the semifinal after a big game like this against the Sharks who have everything to play for and will create just the pressure-filled environment needed to test those players coming into this side this week."
Coetzee is expecting a tough match on Saturday, as the Sharks head to Newlands knowing that a win could put them in line for a home semifinal.
"The Sharks are starting to fire at the right time, they're starting to play some good rugby and there's a big belief in the side. They're a formidable team and will present a huge challenge [for us]."
Western Province: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 EW Viljoen, 13 Pat Howard, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 3 Brok Harris (captain), 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Justin Ackerman, 18 Gavin Annandale, 19 Anton van Zyl, 20 Patrick O'Brien, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Chevandre van Schoor.
Date: Saturday, October 11
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Marc van Zyl
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
