WP give Springboks some good news

SPOTLIGHT: Western Province will be determined to secure a win when they take on the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.

WP head into the Currie Cup Round Seven encounter with a lot on the line.

The side needs to bag four points to keep their dream of reaching the semifinal alive.

WP have struggled in the last few weeks and found themselves sixth in the league standing with 14 points.

Knowing the magnitude of the match, WP received a much-needed boost as Springbok legend Steven Kitshoff was named in the starting line-up to face the Lions.

The prop returns from injury in the blue and white hoops on Saturday.

Kitshoff hasn’t played since he sustained a serious knee injury at Ulster during a Challenge Cup quarterfinal clash in April.

The loosehead prop missed all of the Springboks’ July Test series against Ireland and Portugal since returning to South Africa to join the Stormers from Ulster.

The double World Cup winner has been an integral part of the Springboks’ recent success.

However, he is in dire need of some game time before returning to the Boks set-up.

The Springboks’ next Test at home is against New Zealand at Ellis Park, and this weekend’s Currie Cup showdown is the perfect warm-up for the prop.

Kitshoff is joined in the front row by hooker and captain Scarra Ntubeni, who he played alongside in the 2012 Currie Cup Final, and Junior Springbok skipper Zachary Porthen, who makes his first start for the senior side.

The other changes to the forward pack see Andre Goedhals start in the second row in place of the injured Gary Porter, while there is also an all-new loose trio of CJ Velleman, a fit-again Louw Nel and Divan Fuller at No.8.

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Dewaldt Duvenage will partner Jurie Matthee at halfback, with Wandisile Simelane at outside centre in the only change to the backline.

Springbok hooker Andre-Hugo Venter is on a replacement bench which also features Maties scrumhalf Ezekiel Ngobeni, who is in line to make his debut.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that the addition of two Springbok front row forwards is a big boost ahead of the trip to Johannesburg.

“Steven and Andre-Hugo are top players who will add a lot,” said Dobson.

“While the return of players such as Louw Nel, CJ Velleman and Wandisile Simelane also strengthens our team.

“It will be a big challenge up in Johannesburg and we are sure to see further growth from the players in this group, which is very exciting.”

#SPOTLIGHT: The battle for Currie Cup semifinal spots is heating up! #rugby #news #sports @CurrieCupRugby https://t.co/O1K3Z846rY

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 15, 2024