Leyds to captain Western Province in opener

Dillyn Leyds will play left wing and captain Western Province in their 2018 Currie Cup opener against the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands on Saturday.

Leyds‚ who has played fullback‚ right wing and flyhalf‚ leads the team in a competitive match for the first time.

Western Province are the defending Currie Cup champions and have to make the most of one of only three home games in the shortened competition format.

SP Marais is at fullback‚ with JJ Engelbrecht on the right wing and Sergeal Petersen set to make his WP debut should he come off the replacements bench.

In the midfield‚ Sevens Springbok Ruhan Nel links up with Dan Kriel‚ with Dan du Plessis among the replacements.

Josh Stander will partner the experienced Jano Vermaak at halfback‚ with Herschel Jantjies providing scrumhalf cover.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe has returned from the Springbok camp to take his place in the loose trio alongside Kobus van Dyk and Juarno Augustus.

In the second row, Salmaan Moerat will partner JD Schickerling‚ with Ernst van Rhyn set to provide an impact in the second half.

Up front, props Ali Vermaak and Michael Kumbirai start on either side of hooker Scarra Ntubeni‚ with Caylib Oosthuizen‚ Neethling Fouche and Chad Solomon on the replacements bench.

“A six-game competition makes every match important because there is no time to develop players‚” Dobson said.

“One of the conditions for our recent tour to France was to play two games to make it feel like a proper tour and not a Super Rugby week.”

The Cheetahs have dropped halfbacks Rudy Paige and Tian Schoeman after last week’s 34-12 loss to the Blue Bulls and brought in Tian Meyer and Louis Fouche respectively.

Centre Dries Swanepoel and No 8 Aidon Davids will also make their Cheetahs debuts.

Province are the defending Currie Cup champions and have to make the most of one of only three home games in the shortened competition format