WP in an unfamiliar position

It’s not often one finds a Western Province side sitting seventh in the Currie Cup table and still winless after their first two matches of the competition.

It’s this situation they desperately need to rectify this afternoon against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth, according to their coach John Dobson.

Province started off with losses of 45-26 to the Blue Bulls at Loftus and 32-25 against the Cheetahs last weekend at Newlands, while the Kings showed plenty of character in going down 49-35 at Loftus last weekend.

Province have been boosted by Olympic Sevens bronze medallists Cheslin Kolbe and Werner Kok who will both start.

Kolbe will make his first start after coming off the replacement bench last week, while Kok will make his Western Province debut on the right wing.

The only other change to the backline sees Dan du Plessis come back from a shoulder injury to reclaim his place at inside centre, with Huw Jones shifting to outside centre.

In the forward pack, Jurie van Vuuren gets a chance to start at flank, whilst JD Schickerling returns from illness at lock and JC Janse van Rensburg makes his first start of the season at loosehead prop.