The race for Currie Cup Premier Division semi-final places will intensify this weekend, with DHL Western Province looking for a full bag of five log points against hosts Novavit Griffons on Friday at 15:00 in Welkom.
There’s still enough time in the league phase for a few teams to make a late charge and clinch a place in the playoffs.
After losing to the Toyota Cheetahs last week, DHL Western Province will be going all out to secure a bonus-point win against the last-placed NovaVit Griffons in Welkom on Friday. The Capetonians are currently in fifth position on the log, but could finish the round in the top four if other results go their way.
There are a few changes to the DHL Western Province team for the game at Down Touch Investment Stadium with utility back Mnombo Zwelendaba making his return from injury. Zwelendaba comes in on the wing, joining Clayton Blommetjies and Luke Burger in the back three.
Cornel Smit will link up with Juan de Jongh in midfield and Thomas Bursey starts at scrumhalf in place of the injured Godlen Masimla.
Louw Nel makes his first start at No.8 for the injured Keke Morabe, while Patric Kitete makes his senior DHL Western Province debut in the second row alongside Adre Smith, who starts for the first time since returning from injury.
DHL Western Province Head Coach John Dobson said that while some changes were forced by injury, there are still many exciting combinations in this team.
“We have seen this team continue to grow through this campaign and we will hopefully take another step forward in Welkom on Friday.
“There are some exciting players coming into the side and we are looking forward to seeing how they go with the guidance of some of our more seasoned campaigners,” he said
Teams
NovaVit Griffons: 15 Duren Hoffman, 14 Granwill Matthys, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Jandre de Beer, 11 Domenic Smit, 10 Duan Pretorius, 9 Jaywinn Juries , 8 Sokuphumla Xakalashe, 7 Thomas Ongera, 6 Thato Mavundla, 5 Michael Benadie, 4 Rian Olivier, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Dandre Delport, 1 Stephan de Jager. Replacements: 16 Hendrik van Schoor, 17 Xolani Jacobs, 18 Buhle Nojekwa, 19 Wikus Nieuwenhuis, 20 Curtly Thomas, 21 Jean Pretorius, 22 Keanu Vers, 23 Randy Fielies, 24 Jared Kruger, 25 Calla Pienaar, 26 Richman Gora, 27 Allistair Mumba, 28 Ethan Williams, 29 Robbie Petzer, 30 Bennie Human.
DHL Western Province: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Luke Burger, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (c), 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Adre Smith, 4 Patric Kitete, 3 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Kwenzo Blose. Replacements: 16 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Andre Goedhals, 20 Louwan Horn, 21 Labib Kannemeyer, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Tom Nel.