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Cape Town - The prodigal son of Western Province rugby, Isma-eel Dollie, has finally been given a chance by the Western Province Currie Cup selectors.
He has been named in the Province starting XV to play the Leopards at Newlands on Saturday, where he makes a rare appearance in the run-on side.
In recent months, many flyhalves suffered injuries but Dollie was consistently overlooked, although he has been around with the squad for several months. He has, however, been used on occasions as a late substitute but this year he has not been given a chance to prove himself.
"Dollie has been with us since start of the year and deserves a chance," said Western Province head coach Allister Coetzee.
He said Dollie would need to direct the team's game plan on the field of play.
"We have structures in place and when players come in we want see how they fit in.
"Team cohesion has been our strength and it's important that the players stay within the structures because then every one knows what is expected.
"Dollie will also be doing the place-kicking duties."
Dollie's big break came about because of the injury to Demetri Catrakilis, who injured his bicep against Griquas last week.
"The news about Catrakilis is not very good and the doctor feels that he'll be out for three or four weeks," said Coetzee.
"Fortunately he won't require an operation. It's is a real pity for him because he's taken his chances with both hands."
Another player to have landed a slot in the starting line-up was the promising prop Frans Malherbe.
"He's (Malherbe) been playing off the bench and always did well when he came into the game but this is his big chance to stake a claim for a regular place," Coetzee said.
"We've had to manage the players coming through the ranks because it's important that the youngsters are blooded in sensible way."
Apart from Catrakilis, the other players who were not considered for selection include Tim Whitehead (centre), Pieter Louw (flank) and JC Kritzinger (prop).
The bad news which came out of the Province camp this week was that eighthman Duane Vermeulen probably would not play rugby again this year.
His knee injury had not healed as expected.
Coetzee was aware that he did not pick a reserve lock on the bench but he was hoping to use one of the loose forwards if the need arose during the match.
Teams:
Western Province: 15 Conrad Jantjes 14 Danie Poolman 13 Johann Sadie 12 Marcel Brache 11 JJ Engelbrecht 10 Isma-eel Dollie 9 Dewaldt Duvenage 8 Nick Koster 7 Tertius Daniller 6 Nick Fenton-Wells 5 Quinn Roux 4 Hilton Lobberts 3 Frans Malherbe 2 Tiaan Liebenberg (captain) 1 Wicus Blaauw
Substitutes: 16 Deon Fourie 17 Brok Harris 18 Nizaam Carr 19 Siya Kolisi 20 Nic Groom 21 Berton Klaasen 22 Steven Hunt
Leopards: 15 George Tossel, 14 Jovan Bowls, 13 Charl Weideman, 12 Hennie Skorbinski, 11 Vainon Willis, 10 Clayton du Randt (captain), 9 Westley Moolan, 8 Spanner Pretorius, 7 MB Lusaseni, 6 Robert Kruger, 5 Brad Mockfort, 4 Ruan van Heerden, 3 Stephan Bezuidenhout, 2 Gavin Williamson, 1 Snoepie Coetzee.
Substitutes: 16 Jacques Moller, 17 BG Uys, 18 Morne Hanekom, 19 Brendon Snyman, 20 Johann Laker, 21 Wesley Dunlop, 22 Joubert Engelbrecht.
