Western Province have been boosted by the return of Springboks Damian de Allende and Wilco Louw for Friday’s trip to Nelspruit where they’ll face the Pumas.
Both De Allende and Louw were released from the Springbok camp for the Currie Cup encounter and WP coach John Dobson wasted no time by selecting the duo in his starting XV for the clash.
De Allende, who hasn’t played for the Boks yet in the Rugby Championship because of injury, comes in at inside centre for Dan Kriel, while Michael Kumbirai makes way for Louw.
In other changes to the side, captain Dillyn Leyds, who played on the wing against the Cheetahs, swaps places with fullback SP Marais, while Sergeal Petersen comes in at right wing for JJ Engelbrecht.
Up front, Ernst van Rhyn takes the place of the injured Salmaan Moerat, with regular skipper Chris van Zyl making his comeback from injury off the bench.
Craig Barry and Dan du Plessis join Herschel Jantjies as backline cover on the replacements bench.
Of the clash against the Pumas, Dobson says: “We know very well how tough it can be to play in Nelspruit, which is a challenge that we are looking to embrace.
“It has been a short week, but preparations have gone well and we are ready for a big effort away from home.”
Western Province:
15 Dillyn Leyds (captain), 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 SP Marais, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Ernst van Rhyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Herschel Jantjies, 21 Dan du Plessis, 22 Craig Barry.