Cape Town - Western Province backline coach Robbie Fleck has defended his team's forwards - who have been heavily criticised for constantly standing in the backline in recent times.

Several of WP's forwards were found out of position in the backline towards the end of their clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
They ultimately paid the price when prop forward Brock Harris threw a wayward pass which resulted in an intercept try for Cheetahs-centre, Corne Uys.

WP went on to lose 28-22, after leading 13-0 at one stage.

However, Fleck believes the backs were more at fault and should rather take the blame.

"The forwards only got into that position because the backs weren't in position quick enough," Fleck told Die Burger newspaper.

"The lack of experience probably showed, but the guys ended up beneath the rucks and didn't work hard enough to get back into position," said Fleck.

But the former Springbok centre says they have addressed the issue and is confident that the problem has been sorted out.

Province take on the Sharks at Newlands on Friday night and can ill afford a repeat of the happenings in Bloemfontein last weekend.

The Sharks have bolstered their backline with several Springboks after their unexpected loss against Griquas.

Amongst the returning Springboks, Charl McLeod will start at scrumhalf with Patrick Lambie slotting in at inside centre, while the Bok wing duo of Odwa Ndungane and Lwazi Mvovo completes a formidable backline.

Teams:

Western Province:
15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Hilton Lobberts, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie (captain), 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 Adriaan Fondse, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Nic Groom, 21 Berton Klaasen, 22 Marcel Brache

Sharks:
15. Louis Ludik, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Stefan Terblanche, 12. Patrick Lambie, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Frederic Michalak, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Keegan Daniel (captain), 7. Marcell Coetzee, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Ross Skeate, 4. Anton Bresler, 3. Eugene van Staden, 2. Craig Burden, 1. Dale Chadwick

Substitutes: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Jan Andre Marais, 19. Francois Kleinhans, 20. Conrad Hoffmann, 21. Adrian Jacobs, 22. Marius Joubert