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Cape Town - Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is confident that new Western Province lock Tazz Fuzani will be able to hold his own when he makes his Currie Cup debut against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Mthetheleli Godfrey "Tazz" Fuzani, 22, was born in Uitenhage, and played six matches for WP during the 2013 Vodacom Cup after first coming to prominence for the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in the Varsity Shield tournament.
In an interview with Die Burger's website, De Villiers - who currently coaches UWC - said he already told Fuzani last year that he will play for WP in 2013.
De Villiers said Fuzani didn't believe him at the time but he kept telling the player to follow his dream. And the coach believes he will be up to the rigours of Currie Cup rugby.
"His defence is brilliant and when he cleans you out at a ruck you're likely not to remember your second name! The Bulls won't be able to get under his skin," said De Villiers.
De Villiers said it's important for Fuzani to receive the right guidance in order to build up his confidence - as he still has lots to learn.
WP are currently unbeaten in the Currie Cup after five games and top the overall standings, while the Bulls lie in fifth position with two wins, two losses and a draw.
Kick-off is at 17:05 on Saturday.
Teams:
Blue Bulls:
15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Ulrich Beyers, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Akona Ndungane, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Jono Ross (captain), 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Marcel van der Merwe.
Substitutes: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 David Bullbring, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 21 Lohan Jacobs, 22 Waylon Murray, 23 Clayton Blommetjies
Western Province:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Rynhardt Elstadt 5. De Kock Steenkamp (captain), 4. Tazz Fuzani, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Michael Willemse, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Rohan Kitshoff, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Gary van Aswegen, 22. Michael van der Spuy
Mthetheleli Godfrey "Tazz" Fuzani, 22, was born in Uitenhage, and played six matches for WP during the 2013 Vodacom Cup after first coming to prominence for the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in the Varsity Shield tournament.
In an interview with Die Burger's website, De Villiers - who currently coaches UWC - said he already told Fuzani last year that he will play for WP in 2013.
De Villiers said Fuzani didn't believe him at the time but he kept telling the player to follow his dream. And the coach believes he will be up to the rigours of Currie Cup rugby.
"His defence is brilliant and when he cleans you out at a ruck you're likely not to remember your second name! The Bulls won't be able to get under his skin," said De Villiers.
De Villiers said it's important for Fuzani to receive the right guidance in order to build up his confidence - as he still has lots to learn.
WP are currently unbeaten in the Currie Cup after five games and top the overall standings, while the Bulls lie in fifth position with two wins, two losses and a draw.
Kick-off is at 17:05 on Saturday.
Teams:
Blue Bulls:
15 Jürgen Visser, 14 Sampie Mastriet, 13 Ulrich Beyers, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Akona Ndungane, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Jono Ross (captain), 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Marcel van der Merwe.
Substitutes: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 David Bullbring, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 21 Lohan Jacobs, 22 Waylon Murray, 23 Clayton Blommetjies
Western Province:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Rynhardt Elstadt 5. De Kock Steenkamp (captain), 4. Tazz Fuzani, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Michael Willemse, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Rohan Kitshoff, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Gary van Aswegen, 22. Michael van der Spuy
