Forgotten Bok on Province bench
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flyhalf Tim Swiel will captain Western Province in their Currie Cup encounter with the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday.
Following a week’s break, Western Province play their first away match of the campaign.
Swiel partners with experienced scrumhalf Godlen Masimla, with Mnombo Zwelendaba starting at outside centre, while there is an all-new back three with Sergeal Petersen at fullback and Leolin Zas and Andre Manuel on the wings.
Up front the experienced Allister Vermaak comes into the starting front row, while David Meihuizen makes his return from injury in the second row.
This means that Simon Miller is back at flank, with Roelof Smit making his first start on the other side of the scrum.
Flyhalf Kade Wolhuter will also make his return from injury via a replacements bench which also features Springbok utility forward Hilton Lobberts.
Lobberts, 35, played two Tests and two tour matches for the Boks in 2006 and 2007 – to go with his 200-odd first-class games between the Bulls, Western Province, Stormers, Boland Cavaliers, San Donà (in Italy), Griquas, Cheetahs and Pumas.
Western Province coach Jerome Paarwater said that after the short break, his team is keen to show they can perform away from home.
“We put in some hard work last week and it will be good to see those plans come through on Wednesday,” Paarwater said.
“We have some experienced players coming into the starting line-up, so it will be good to see the impact they can make for us,” he added.
Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Andre Manuel, 13 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Tim Swiel (captain), 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Allister Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Jacques Goosen, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Hannes Gous, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Ethan James.
Date: Wednesday, February 2
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 20.00 (18.00 GMT)
Referee: Griffin Colby
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Zukile Madikizela
TMO: Egon Seconds
