CAPE TOWN – A 27-man DHL Western Province squad will leave Cape Town on Tuesday for a two-match pre-season trip to France.
As part of the preparations for their upcoming Currie Cup title defence, Province will face Pro D2 side Narbonne on Saturday, August 11 and Top 14 team Montpellier on Thursday, August 16.
The squad has a good mix of youth and experience for the tour which will provide some vital game-time against quality opposition ahead of their Currie Cup campaign, which starts on Saturday, August 25 against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at DHL Newlands.
Coach John Dobson said that the trip to France will provide important experience both on and off the field for his squad.
"We are looking forward to experiencing the rugby culture in France, which will give us a great opportunity to come together as a team.
"We have two tough matches to prepare for, which should give us a good idea of where we are at ahead of the Currie Cup campaign," he said.
The WP touring squad is:
Juarno Augustus, Craig Barry, Paul de Wet, Dan du Plessis, Johan du Toit, JJ Engelbrecht, Neethling Fouche, Herschel Jantjies, Dan Kriel, Michael Kumbirai, Dillyn Leyds, SP Marais, Chris Massyn, Scarra Ntubeni, Caylib Oosthuizen, Sergeal Petersen, Duncan Saal, Carlu Sadie, Ramone Samuels, JD Schickerling, Josh Stander, Chad Solomon, Kobus van Dyk, Ernst van Rhyn, Ali Vermaak, Jano Vermaak, Cobus Wiese.