The Airlink Pumas have set the pace for much of the tournament but will be desperate to bounce back after their loss in the 10th round against the Cell C Sharks. The Airlink Pumas will travel to Cape Town this Friday in search of a win that may elevate them to the top of the standings at 17h00.
DHL Western Province will be out for revenge, after losing to the Airlink Pumas earlier in the season. A win for the Capetonians would consolidate their position in the top four and keep the chasing pack, the Fidelity ADT Lions, Windhoek Draught Griquas and Vodacom Bulls, at arm’s length.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Godlen Masimla are back in the DHL Western Province backline for the Currie Cup encounter with the Airlink Pumas at Athlone Stadium on Friday.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu is at inside centre and forms a midfield partnership with Cornel Smit, while Masimla makes his return from injury at scrumhalf.
The only other change to the backline sees wing Tom Nel come into the starting line-up.
There are two changes to the forward pack, with Connor Evans back at lock and Chad Solomon coming in to play openside flank in place of Junior Pokomela, who has been ruled out through injury.
DHL Western Province Head Coach John Dobson said that his team are looking forward to playing at Athlone Stadium.
“It will be fantastic to connect withour fans in Athlone for what is a very important game in the context of the season.
“We have some talented players coming back into the mix and we are looking forward to seeing what they can add against a strong Airlink Pumas side,” he said.
Airlink Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse made one change to the starting line-up. Hooker Llewellyn Classen is replaced by Corne Fourie. Tighthead prop Njabulo Gumede was cleared late on Thursday to play following his red card against the Cell C Sharks.
Teams:
DHL Western Province: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Luke Burger, 13 Cornel Smit, 12 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 11 Tom Nel, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (captain), 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 6 Chad Solomon, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Kwenzo Blose. Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Andre Goedhals, 20 Armand Maritz, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 23 Duncan Saal.
Airlink Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Lundi Msenge, 13 Diego Appollis, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Andrew Kota, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Anele Lungisa, 6 Andre Fouche, 5 Shane Kirkwood (c), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Njabulo Gumede, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 PJ Jacobs, 17 Ettienne Janeke, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Franna Kleinhans, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Etienne Taljaard.