Province unchanged for Final
Head coach John Dobson has not tampered with the match-22 that beat the Blue Bulls 23-18 in last weekend's semifinal, with outside centre Johnny Kotze [knock to the knee] cleared to take part in the Final.
Kotze will start in his first-ever Currie Cup Final, one of seven players doing so, whilst a total of 12 players in the matchday squad will be wearing Province colours in a final for the first time.
"We have a massive task ahead of us on Saturday, so it was good to retain this kind of [selection] continuity ahead of the Final," Dobson told the WP website.
"The Lions deserve to be hosting this weekend's Final. They're unbeaten and have been consistently brilliant throughout the season, so we are certainly up against it.
Dobson said they also need to improve on their performance against the Bulls if they are to beat the Lions.
"There is a certain amount of resilience in this team of ours
"I thought the guys showed good signs against the Bulls last week, but we certainly need to take it up a notch against this Lions side who will be looking to make up for last year's final and ensure their current unbeaten run is rewarded with some silverware."
Juan de Jongh will again skipper the WP team, with loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff playing in his final match for the union before he departs for France at the end of the season.
Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (captain), 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Huw Jones.
Date: Saturday, October 24
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 13.45 (11.45 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Jason Jaftha
TMO: Marius Jonker
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