CAPE TOWN – Springbok No 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe is out, but Dillyn Leyds returns at fullback for Western Province’s Currie Cup semi-final against the Blue Bulls at Newlands.
WP announced on Thursday that Notshe is battling a knee injury, so he has been replaced by powerful youngster Juarno Augustus at the back of the scrum.
Augustus – last year’s World Rugby Under-20 Player of the Year – is a force to be reckoned with when he has the ball, and will present the Bulls defence with another serious headache as they try to hit back from last week’s 34-7 rout in 40 minutes at Loftus.
Leyds’ return sees Springbok Damian Willemse move back to his preferred flyhalf spot, while another change in the backline comes at inside centre, with Dan Kriel coming back for Dan du Plessis.
Bok hooker Bongi Mbonambi is also restored at No 2, with Scarra Ntubeni on the bench.
“We have worked hard this season to earn the right to play at Newlands this weekend, so we intend to make the most of that opportunity,” coach John Dobson said.
“It was tough to select this team, with some quality players left out, but we are very excited to see what they are capable of in what is obviously a big game.”
Tickets, from R20 for scholars and R50 for standing room, range up to R175 and are available at Computicket, at the stadium and online at wprugby.computicket.com
The Blue and White Hoops 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️ Can’t wait to be back at Newlands this weekend! pic.twitter.com/i44EtDgrko
— Chris van Zyl (@Chris_van_Zyl) October 18, 2018
Western Province Team
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 SP Marais, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Bench: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Jaco Coetzee, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Josh Stander, 23 JJ Engelbrecht.
@ashfakmohamed