Western Province coach John Dobson is a brave man.
He proved as much when naming a Currie Cup debutant at inside centre for Saturday’s must-win clash against the Free State Cheetahs away in Bloemfontein.
Rikus Pretorius, who starred for the SA U20 team this year, is the Baby Bok expected to show his range of skills in his first senior match, a knockout game, for the Streeptruie.
With Damian de Allende playing club rugby in Japan next year, Dobson is keen to test the players he believes will have to step up in Super Rugby in 2020.
PICK: John Dobson. Photo: BackpagePix.
And he believes the 20-year-old Pretorius is the future, saying: “He was outstanding for the SA U20s.
“If this is our last game, it’s probably a bit late [to give him a start]. He’s been doing really well for the U21s and we need to build for the future.
“I’m excited about him – he is big, he’s a guy who plays flat, he’s physical, he comes from there [Bloemfontein], so we’re quite excited about this one.
“It’s probably a week or two too late, but let’s see what he can do.”
SIDELINED: WP centre Dan Kriel. Photo: Ryan Wilkisy/BackpagePix.
With WP needing a win against the Cheetahs to stand a chance of making the semis, Dobson explains his decision to bring in Pretorius now as follows: “Dan [Kriel] is battling an ankle injury and hasn’t been able to train… the reality is in Super Rugby next year our centre stocks aren’t what they were.
“So at some stage you’ve got to be brave if you want to ask this kid to play Super Rugby next year.
“There is a possibility that this might be our last game.
“I also think he deserves it on merit, we’ve used the same centres the whole year.”
Another player that might have been called up in this position is Josh Stander.
BOK DUTY: Damian de Allende. Photo: BackpagePix.
But he too is expected to go to Japan next season, with WP set to announce their transfer dealings ahead of next season shortly.
Western Province:
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 SP Marais, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 JD Schickerling, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements:
16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Nama Xaba, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Seabelo Senatla.