Western Province coach John Dobson made wholesale changes to his backline for Saturday’s Currie Cup clash against the Golden Lions at Ellis Park.
With fullback Warrick Gelant ruled out for the rest of the season because of a knee injury, regular flyhalf Damian Willemse was moved to the back of the line with Tim Swiel coming in at pivot.
Swiel will partner Godlen Masimla, who takes the place of Herschel Jantjies, in the halfbacks.
In another change, Ruhan Nel starts for the first time this season at outside centre, with Dan du Plessis moving to the inside.
Of the changes to his backline, Dobson says: “The next fullback in the group is Tristan Leyds, who we’re really excited about. [But] he’s still a guy in the development phase.
“Damian [Willemse] has played Test rugby at 15, he’s played England at Twickenham there, so it’s a pretty logical change.
“Tim Swiel did really well when he’s come on for us [at No.10] this season – he is a really good game manager.”
WESTERN PROVINCE: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 David Meihuizen, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Johan du Toit, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Tristan Leyds, 24 Jaco Coetzee, 25 Kade Wolhuter, 26 Rikus Pretorius.