Western Province coach John Dobson has welcomed back four Springboks straight into his starting XV for tomorrow’s Currie Cup match against Griquas at Newlands (7.30pm).
One of the changes sees Damian Willemse coming in at fullback, with Dillyn Leyds moving to the bench.
Willemse was tried in this position by Dobson in last year’s Currie Cup and did well in the final against the Sharks.
And while Dobson admits there was a “very polite” request from the national camp to play the player in this position, he is excited to have Willemse in the No.15 jumper.
He explains: “The way 10s and 15s play now – you often see that No.15 is in first receiver role.”
That is good news for Leyds as well.
Despite playing off the bench, last week’s Man of the Match will also get a chance to strut his stuff in the flyhalf channel.
Dobson explains: “We need to build depth at 10. Josh [Stander] is the only out-and-out 10, we’re looking at Dillyn coming on at 10.”
Bongi Mbonambi at hooker, Wilco Louw at tighthead prop and Sikhumbuzo Notshe at flank are the other Springboks who will be looking to run wild against Griquas and sharpen their skills for the Rugby Championship home matches against Australia and New Zealand from next week.
Western Province:
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Chris van Zyl (captain), 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Justin Phillips, 21 Dan du Plessis, 22 Dillyn Leyds