Western Province likely to trample Elephants

IT should be another walk in the park for Western Province in Port Elizabeth today when the holders of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge (SRC) title tackle the winless EP Elephants at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele.

The previous meeting between the two coastal rivals in the five-team South Section was a one-sided affair with WP winning 59-12.

Whether EP, who have lost all four outings this season, can turn things around, remains to be seen.

WP are getting better by the week as shown by last weekend’s 50-3 demolition job over a gutsy but outclassed SWD.

The men from the Mother City were simply outstanding on defence, and when the opportunities came to put points on the board, they cashed in.

An unprecedented 15th straight win was achieved.

EP, who improved last time out in a narrow loss to the Boland Cavaliers, have nothing to lose.

The home side won’t make the play-offs, so best they give it their all to win and regain some pride.

Province have won all four outings, three by big margins, and have bagged 19 points from a possible 20 to sit atop their section. WP coach John Dobson’s side have scored 26 tries and conceded just seven.

Dobson has made five changes to his run-on XV, two in the backline and three in the pack.

UWC star Tristan Leyds returns to fullback and Grant Hermanus wears the No 14 jersey in place of Duncan Saal (six tries at rightwing), who provided cover on the bench this week.

Up front, Brendon Esterhuizen gets a chance to form a lock partnership with Johan du Toit, while in the front row Ali Vermaak (prop) and hooker Scarra Ntubeni come into the starting line-up.

“We’ve had a couple of disruptions again, hence the changes,” said Dobson.

“It’s very important for us that the guys do their studies. Ernst van Rhyn and Saal had exams so they joined the team late and drop to the bench.

“Ali’s back and it’s nice to have Scarra back, he’s a popular figure and a great hooker.

“This game is about us against us,” continued Dobson.

“We want to keep a certain standard going. Against SWD we only had 40 percent territory and possession, that’s not what we wanted, so we must improve this time round.

“It’s important for us to get five points; we want to make sure we top our group at the end of the round-robin stage to secure a home play-off.

“Better for us to play those knockout games on home turf rather than having to play up north at altitude.”