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Fitness boost for WP ahead of Bulls semi

Cape Town - It's almost a case of all hands on deck for Western Province head coach John Dobson ahead of Friday night's Currie Cup semi-final clash against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria (19:10 kick-off).

Flank Rynhardt Elstadt, scrumhalf Jano Vermaak, centre Johnny Kotze, wing Seabelo Senatla and fullback Cheslin Kolbe are all back in the selection mix after missing their team’s 45-14 win over the EP Kings last Friday.

Coach John Dobson is particularly happy to see Elstadt back to full fitness.

“To have him back is really big for us - what he’s done in the past, especially from a physical point of view, is huge,” Dobson told the WP Rugby website.

“Also, we have a young team - the youngest in the competition - so having him back, and also Juan de Jongh, who has not played against the Bulls this year, is a big boost in terms of our experience.”

The WP team, to face the Bulls in Pretoria on Friday evening, will be announced on Tuesday afternoon.

The full Western Province injury report:

- Elstadt is back and available for selection after missing the past few weeks with a thigh/quad injury.

- Vermaak (groin), Kotze (hamstring), Senatla (rest) and Kolbe (bone bruising - ankle) are all back after sitting out the Kings game.

- Prop Oli Kebble, the only injury doubt from last weekend, trained on Monday and looks set to be available for Friday.

- Hooker Scarra Ntubeni and flank Chris Cloete (both calf muscles) are still not available for selection.

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