{"209":{"title":"Six Nations","uri":"six-nations","id":"108","oid":"209","order":0,"hasData":1},"210":{"title":"Rugby World Cup","uri":"rugby-world-cup","id":"111","oid":"210","order":1,"hasData":1},"3":{"title":"International","uri":"internationals","id":"107","oid":"3","order":3,"hasData":1},"201":{"title":"Gallagher Premiership","uri":"premiership","id":"101","oid":"201","order":4,"hasData":1},"204":{"title":"United Rugby Championship","uri":"united-rugby-championship","id":"138","oid":"204","order":5,"hasData":1},"203":{"title":"TOP 14","uri":"top-14","id":"102","oid":"203","order":6,"hasData":1},"217":{"title":"U20 Six Nations","uri":"u20-six-nations","id":"217","oid":"217","order":7,"hasData":1},"211":{"title":"Pro D2","uri":"pro-d2","id":"119","oid":"211","order":8,"hasData":1},"208":{"title":"Bunnings NPC","uri":"bunnings-npc","id":"105","oid":"208","order":9,"hasData":1},"242":{"title":"Investec Champions Cup","uri":"european-champions-cup","id":"110","oid":"242","order":10,"hasData":1},"243":{"title":"Challenge Cup","uri":"challenge-cup","id":"118","oid":"243","order":11,"hasData":1},"340":{"title":"PWR","uri":"premiership-womens-rugby","id":"127","oid":"340","order":12,"hasData":1},"205":{"title":"Super Rugby Pacific","uri":"super-rugby","id":"104","oid":"205","order":13,"hasData":1},"207":{"title":"Currie Cup","uri":"currie-cup","id":"106","oid":"207","order":14,"hasData":1},"248":{"title":"Women's Six Nations","uri":"womens-six-nations","id":"125","oid":"248","order":16,"hasData":1},"274":{"title":"Women's Internationals","uri":"womens-internationals","id":"274","oid":"274","order":17,"hasData":1},"249":{"title":"Women's Rugby World Cup","uri":"womens-rugby-world-cup","id":"126","oid":"249","order":18,"hasData":1},"365":{"title":"Autumn Nations Series","uri":"autumn-nations-series","id":"124","oid":"365","order":19,"hasData":1},"2000":{"title":"Nations Championship","uri":"nations-championship","id":"2000","oid":"2000","order":20,"hasData":1},"1":{"title":"Rugby Hybrid Friendlies","uri":"rugby-hybrid-friendlies","id":"1","oid":"1","order":21,"hasData":1},"269":{"title":"Rugby Europe Championship","uri":"rugby-europe-championship","id":"269","oid":"269","order":22,"hasData":1},"221":{"title":"British & Irish Lions 2025","uri":"british-irish-lions","id":"113","oid":"221","order":23,"hasData":1},"214":{"title":"The Rugby Championship","uri":"the-rugby-championship","id":"109","oid":"214","order":24,"hasData":1},"141":{"title":"Super Rugby Pacific","uri":"super-rugby-pacific","id":"141","oid":"141","order":25,"hasData":1},"216":{"title":"World Rugby Junior World Championship","uri":"world-rugby-u20-championship","id":"216","oid":"216","order":25,"hasData":1},"219":{"title":"Pacific Nations Cup","uri":"pacific-nations-cup","id":"219","oid":"219","order":26,"hasData":1},"120":{"title":"Pacific Four Series","uri":"pacific-four-series","id":"120","oid":"120","order":27,"hasData":1},"862":{"title":"WXV 1","uri":"wxv-1","id":"862","oid":"862","order":29,"hasData":1},"863":{"title":"WXV 2","uri":"wxv-2","id":"863","oid":"863","order":30,"hasData":1},"864":{"title":"WXV 3","uri":"wxv-3","id":"864","oid":"864","order":31,"hasData":1},"151":{"title":"Major League Rugby","uri":"major-league-rugby","id":"131","oid":"151","order":32,"hasData":1},"116":{"title":"Premiership Cup","uri":"premiership-cup","id":"116","oid":"116","order":34,"hasData":1}}

SA prop fit again for WP

They face the unbeaten log leaders at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

ADVERTISEMENT

The very mobile Kitshoff will add some urgency to the Western Province team at the breakdown areas, and he will also give them good go-forward ball.

Province will try to push for maximum points over their last two group games in a bid to secure a home semifinal.

Province coach John Dobson said: "We might have to pick up 10 points [from 10n] in our next two games.

"All we can do is to do our best and go out there and give ourselves the best chance of getting that home semifinal.

"We can’t worry about the Lions or what other teams are doing."

The Lions have become a formidable unit and Dobson is very wary of their strengths.

ADVERTISEMENT

"There’s an incredible belief in how they’re trying to play rugby," said Dobson.

"They have a massive work-rate. Their pack works and they come at you for the entire game.

"Marnitz Boshoff is currently on 56 out of 58 goal kicks at the moment, and he gets good distance too out of hand.

"They also have Warren Whiteley back and they are deadly at the breakdown.

ADVERTISEMENT

"There may be one or two defensive holes and they do turn over a bit of ball, so we need to get through some phases to put them under pressure," added Dobson.

Juan de Jongh also makes a return to fitness after having been out of action since mid-August with a knee injury.

He would have been a contender for a berth in the Springbok World Cup squad, following the retirement of Jean de Villiers through injury, but the fact that he was'nt playing probably ruled him out.

Province coach John Dobson said: "Medically he [Juan de Jongh] has 40 minutes [in him], it’s up to us to decide which 40 minutes it will be – the first or second half.

"Having him back is a big boost for us, which is why I am considering to start with him.

"He is the leader of this squad, everyone looks up to him, so his return is certainly timely."

However, De Jongh will probably come off the bench on Saturday considering that Johnny Kotze and Huw Jones have been doing so well over the past 2 weeks.

Kurt Coleman is available for selection and this gives coach Dobson another dillemma, though a good one.

Robert du Preez has been in scintillating form and he should surely keep the No.10 jersey.

Loose forward Chris Cloete is 100 percent fit and he may force himself into the final squad of 22.

Flank Rynhardt Elstadt and fullback Cheslin Kolbe will still undergo late fitness tests some time in the week.

Hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni will probably be out for another two weeks at least, after he injured his calf muscle.

Join free

Has Beauden Barrett Just Secured His World Cup Place? | Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 36

KOKO Show | 13 October 2026 | WALLABIES BROUGHT CRASHING BACK TO EARTH! All Blacks Deliver Bledisloe Reality Check!

What Rugby Fans Don't See: Ben O'Keeffe on Life Under Pressure | ARP Extra

What Did the All Blacks’ Big Win Prove? | Episode 35 | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Canada v England | WXV Global Series

MLR Weekly: New England Owner Errik Anderson re expansion/future, MLR News, College Rugby Corner

Spain v South Africa | WXV Global Series 2026 | Match Highlights

Chile v Hong Kong China | U20 Challenger 2026 | Match Highlights

Belgium v Portugal | U20 Challenger 2026 | Match Highlights

Write A Comment