WP change four for Jo'burg trip
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: There are four new faces in the Western Province starting line-up for the Currie Cup encounter with the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
There are two changes to the backline and two in the forward pack, with one positional switch for the clash at Ellis Park.
The changes in the backline come on both wings, with Sako Makata and Jared Africa both backed to start.
Junior Springbok and Sevens star Gino Cupido comes onto the replacements bench.
Up front, former Junior Springbok captain Zachary Porthen starts at tighthead prop and in the loose trio Louw Nel moves to the back of the scrum, while Gideon van Wyk starts at blindside flank.
Coach Labeeb Levy said that it will require a step-up in performance to get the first win of the campaign in Johannesburg.
“We have made some changes, but have looked to keep most of the combinations from our opening match so that the players can build an understanding and synergy,” Levy said.
“We saw some promising signs in the second half of our first game and it will require a big lift in standards to take that forward against a competitive Lions side on Saturday,” he added.
Western Province: 15 Shilton van Wyk, 14 Sako Makata, 13 Luke Burger, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Jared Africa, 10 Kyle Smith, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Gideon van Wyk, 6 Zain Davids (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Alex Groves, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 Andre Goedhals, 20 Erhard Lambrecht, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Gino Cupido, 23 Tristan Leyds.
Date: Saturday, August 2
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Christopher Allison
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Paul Mente
TMO: Archie Sehlako
