Despite spending time in the Springbok camp this week, centre Ruhan Nel will wear the blue and white hoops of Western Province against the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday (2pm).
In what is a must-win for WP if they want to finish at the top of the log and possibly book a home final, coach John Dobson has made a total of eight changes to his squad for the clash.
With a trip to Loftus awaiting Province next week in their final round-robin match, Dobson knows his team must get the better of the unbeaten Durbanites to return to Newlands for the decider.
He says: “This will be a tough game between two good teams who are yet to lose this season, so we are grateful to have home advantage at Newlands.
“We have prepared well for this game and will be going all-out in what will be our last home game before the knockout stages.”
Back in the mix for this clash after making way for Springbok Damian Willemse is fullback Dillyn Leyds, who along with Nel will be eager to impress Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus.
Leyds will be joined in the back three by the impressive Sergeal Petersen, while SP Marais also returns to the side on the wing.
Veteran scrumhalf Jano Vermaak returns to take up his position at the back of the scrum, while Dobson made a total of five changes to his pack.
No.8 Juarno Augustus, captain Chris van Zyl, flank Kobus van Dyk and looshead prop Ali Vermaak are the only survivors from the team that beat Griquas 38-12 last weekend.
With Wilco Louw and Bongi Mbonambi back with the Boks, Michael Kumbirai and Scarra Ntubeni will man the front row with Vermaak, while JD Schickerling takes over from Salmaan Moerat in the middle of the scrum.
In the final change, Ernst van Rhyn returns to flank in place of Bok Sikhumbuzo Notshe.
WP:
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 SP Marais, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (captain), 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Cris Massyn, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 JJ Engelbrecht.
Sharks:
15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Juan Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Ruben van Heerden, 19 Luke Stringer, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Leolin Zas, 22 Aphelele Fassi.