John Dobson forced to tinker with Western Province team for Pumas clash

Jaco Coetzee will make his first start for Western Province this season against the Pumas at Newlands. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Jaco Coetzee will make his first start for Western Province this season against the Pumas at Newlands. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Published Dec 9, 2020

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CAPE TOWN - Western Province coach John Dobson has made seven changes to his team for the Currie Cup encounter with the Pumas at Newlands.

Three of the changes are injury-enforced, while the other four are rotational for the third round clash, which kicks off at 7pm on Friday.

Injuries to Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel and Juarno Augustus see Tristan Leyds, Michal Haznar and Jaco Coetzee make their first starts in the blue and white hoops of Western Province this season.

Leyds is on the wing, while Haznar will link up in midfield with Rikus Pretorius who is back in the starting line-up. Paul de Wet starts at scrumhalf in the other change to the backline.

In the forward pack Coetzee is at No 8, while the other two changes see lock David Meihuizen and hooker Scarra Ntubeni come into the run-on side.

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Dobson said that his team are looking forward to playing at Newlands again on Friday evening.

"It is a short week for us and we can't wait to get out there at Newlands and put together an 80-minute performance.

"We are looking forward to seeing what the players coming in can add as we target an accurate display on Friday," he said.

Western Province

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Michal Haznar, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Tristan Leyds, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Ernst van Rhyn, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Bench (from): 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Johan du Toit, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Dan du Plessis, 24 Kwenzo Blose, 25 Marcel Theunissen, 26 Sihle Njezula.

@IOLsport

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