Province power up for Griquas

WESTERN Province have been boosted by a number of players returning from injury ahead of their Currie Cup clash against Griquas at Cape Town Stadium today (kick-off 3.45pm).

Centre Dan du Plessis, flank Nama Xaba and hooker JJ Kotze have all returned from injury and will start for Province.

There are six changes to the starting line-up that edged the Sharks 32-31 in a nail-biter in Cape Town last week, which saw WP stay put at the top of the log.

Rikus Pretorius, who has been the first-choice No 12, shifts to outside centre, while Du Plessis gets a run at inside centre. In the other change to the backline, Godlen Masimla is at scrumhalf.

Xaba and Johan du Toit will come in at six and seven respectively, with Du Toit replacing the injured Hacjivah Dayimani, who last week made his first start for his new team.

The other two changes are in the front row, with tighthead prop Sazi Sandi making his first start of the campaign alongside Kotze.

The bench also includes lock JD Schickerling and centre Juan de Jongh, who is set to make his first appearance for WP since 2016.

The return of Xaba, who suffered an ankle injury during training that ruled him out of the Rainbow Cup earlier this season, is certainly the most anticipated comeback.

The 23-year-old, who made a huge impact during Super Rugby Unlocked, also suffered an ankle injury last October, which ruled him out for the remainder of that tournament and the Currie Cup that followed.

He made his return with a lively performance during the Rainbow Cup, but his climb was again halted by the latest injury he’s just recovered from after just one game.

Head coach John Dobson said that the focus for his team is on putting together an accurate performance in all departments.

“We know that we can raise our game in a number of areas and we are excited to see what some of the players coming in can add against what will be a motivated Griquas side.

“The key for us will be to execute our gameplan as clinically as possible to take some winning momentum into our break for the game against the British & Irish Lions next week,” he said.

WESTERN PROVINCE

Starting XV: Sergeal Petersen, Seabelo Senatla, Rikus Pretorius, Dan du Plessis, Edwill van der Merwe, Tim Swiel, Godlen Masimla, Evan Roos, Johan du Toit, Nama Xaba, David Meihuizen, Ernst van Rhyn (capt), Sazi Sandi, JJ Kotze, Ali Vermaak

Replacements (from): Reinach Venter, Leon Lyons, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, JD Schickerling, Niel Otto, Marcel Theunissen, Paul de Wet, Abner van Reenen, Andre-Hugo Venter, Justin Basson, Juan de Jongh