A win is non-negotiable for Province
WESTERN Province coach John Dobson has made five changes to the pack for their crucial Currie Cup clash with the Sharks in Durban tomorrow (7pm kickoff).
A win is non-negotiable in their final regular-season game for Province in order to qualify for the semi-finals, something that is perhaps a big ask given the average season they have had.
Dobson's men have won just five of
their 11 games and are currently in the bottom half of the standings in fifth spot. Only the Free State Cheetahs and the hugely-disappointing Lions - both out of the running - are below them in sixth and seventh respectively.
More than just results, it's been the Cape side's play that has left much to be desired at times.
A win should be enough to get the Capetonians into the top four, but if they fail to bag a win WP will miss out on a Currie Cup semi-final spot for only the second time since 2008 (previously in 2019).
Up front, there are two new props in Leon Lyons and Neethling Fouche packing down on either side of hooker Andre-Hugo Venter. Johan du Toit shifts from the loose trio into the second row, with flanks Deon Fourie and Marcel Theunissen coming into the starting line-up at No 6 and 7, respectively.
In the backline, Juan de Jongh is back at No 12, while Ruhan Nel moves out to the right wing, with Sergeal Petersen at fullback in the place of Warrick Gelant, who misses out this week as he nurses an injury niggle.
Dobson said they have worked hard to ensure the players are ready for the must-win encounter.
“This has been a Currie Cup campaign unlike any other and we know exactly what we need to do in order to be playing in a semi-final next week,” Dobson said.
“Having had a whole week to prepare, we have worked hard on certain areas of our game and the players will definitely be highly motivated to do the jersey proud and get the result we need in Durban.”
Western Province: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Johan du Toit, 4 Ernst van Rhyn (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Leon Lyons. Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Simon Miller, 20 Nama Xaba, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Rikus Pretorius, 23 Tristan Leyds, 24 Justin Basson, 25 De Wet Marais