Engelbrecht returns as a Lion
Former FNB UCT star Pieter Engelbrecht will return to Newlands as a Lions player in this weekend’s Currie Cup match between Western Province and the Golden Lions.
Engelbrecht (pictured) moved to the Lions a few weeks ago, having been signed by former Springbok coach Jake White, and he will warm the bench for his new team in Currie Cup action at Newlands.
He will be hoping for some more game time after impressing as a replacement against the Sharks last weekend – even grabbing a last-gasp intercept try as the Lions went down 19-30.
UJ’s Derick Minnie will start for the Lions, whilst hosts Western Province will again rely on a core of Varsity Cup players in their backline, with Joe Pietersen, Juan de Jongh and Morgan Newman – all of whom have tasted Varsity Cup success with the Maties – starting for the Blue and White hoops.
Meanwhile, Maties back JJ Engelbrecht – no relation to the Lions’ Pieter – gets another chance on the WP bench after making a try-scoring debut appearance against Boland last week.
The teams:
Western Province: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Morgan Newman, 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Adriaan Fondse, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Brock Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JD Moller, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Frikkie Welsh, 22 JJ Engelbrecht.
Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak (captain), 8 Todd Clever, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Johan van Deventer, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Ruan Boshoff, 22 Pieter Engelbrecht.
Kick-off: 5.05pm
