DHL Western Province will host the Tafel Lager Griquas at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday @ 15h45 in Round 4 of the Carling Currie Cup.
Western Province is currently the log leader of the 2021 Carling Currie Cup with 11 points with Griquas on 6 points after the same number of games played (3).
Western Province has won against Vodacom Bulls (48-24) and a close call against Cell C Sharks (32-31) last weekend. Their only loss was against Sigma Lions (32-38) in Round 2.
Griquas won only one game this Carling Currie Cup season against the Cheetahs (31-10) in Round 2. Griquas suffered losses against Cell C Sharks (16-30) in Round 1 and Pumas (22-26) last weekend.
Prediction: Although Griquas will not be easy prey DHL Western Province should win with relative ease. Expect the second half to open up with the brilliant backline of the hosts to score several tries.
Centre Dan du Plessis, flank Nama Xaba and hooker JJ Kotze have all returned from injury and will start for DHL Western Province in their Carling Currie Cup encounter wih the Tafel Lager Griquas at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.
There are six changes in total to the starting line-up that will face the Kimberley side.
Rikus Pretorius shifts to outside centre to partner Du Plessis in midfield while Godlen Masimla is at scrumhalf in the other change to the backline.
There are two new flanks in the fit-again Xaba and Johan du Toit, who comes in for the injured Hacjivah Dayimani.
The other two changes are in the front row, with tighthead prop Sazi Sandi making his first start of the campaign alongside Kotze.
The extended replacements bench also includes lock JD Schickerling and centre Juan de Jongh who could make his first appearance for DHL Western Province since 2016.
DHL Western Province Head Coach John Dobson said that the focus for his team is on putting together an accurate performance in all departments.
“We know that we can raise our game in several areas and we are excited to see what some of the players coming in can add against what will be a motivated Tafel Lager Griquas side.
“The key for us will be to execute our game plan as clinically as possible to take some winning momentum into our break for the game against the British and Irish Lions next week,” he said.
Tafel Lager Griquas head coach has made wholesale changes to the starting lineup that will face DHL Western Province tomorrow afternoon at the Cape Town Stadium.
Scott Mathie has made five changes to his pack upfront. Only captain Ruan Steenkamp, who moves to #8, Hanru Sirgel who moves to #7 and Cameron Lindsay at lock, survived the cut.
At the back, Ashlon Davids at fullback and Jonathan Francke at the inside centre was included in the starting XV.
DHL Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Rikus Pretorius, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Sazi Sandi, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements (from): 16 Reinach Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Niel Otto, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Abner van Reenen, 24 Andre-Hugo Venter, 25 Justin Basson, 26 Juan de Jongh.
Tafel lager Griquas: 15. Ashlon Davids, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. Jay Cee Nel, 12. Jonathan Francke, 11. Eduan Keyter, 10. George Whitehead, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Ruan Steenkamp (C), 7. Hanru Sirgel, 6. Gideon vd Merwe, 5. Cameron Lindsay, 4. Mzwanele Zito, 3. Janu Botha , 2. Janco Uys, 1. Mox Mxoli . Replacements: 16. HJ Luus, 17. Andrew Beerwinkel, 18. Andries Schutte, 19. Jeandre Leonard, 20. Sibabalo Qoma, 21. Raegan Oranje, 22. Thinus de Beer, 23. Ederies Arendse, 24. Tijde Visser, 25. Luyolo Visser, 26. Chris Hollis.