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Cape Town - Western Province are hoping that the inclusion of Michael Rhodes at lock will add some much needed "muscle" to their forward pack.
Rhodes was the only change to the team named on Wednesday to take on the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands this weekend.
He replaced Gerbrandt Grobler in the starting team, after Grobler struggled somewhat against a physical Blue Bulls outfit last week.
Rhodes is renowned for his aggressive nature and WP will be hoping he can front up against the men from Bloemfontein.
"We hope he can add some muscle to the forward pack," backline coach Robbie Fleck told Die Burger's website.
"Gerbrandt played well over the weekend (in the 24-all draw to the Bulls), but he's somewhat lighter and will be utilised as impact player."
WP will be hoping Rhodes - who joined from the Lions this season - is now over the injury niggles that prevented him from featuring regularly in 2013.
A torn hamstring in pre-season kept him from the field until April, only to be sidelined with an ankle injury after playing a few Super Rugby games. He made his return from the substitutes bench against the Bulls last week.
Saturday's clash at Newlands kicks off at 19:15.
Teams:
Western Province
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Pat Howard, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Gary van Aswegen, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Deon Fourie (captain), 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Michael Rhodes, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Pat Cilliers, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Rohan Kitshoff, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Ryan Nell
Free State Cheetahs
15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Riaan Smit, 13. Johann Sadie, 12. Robert Ebersohn, 11. Raymond Rhule, 10. Elgar Watts, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Philip van der Walt, 7. Pieter Labuschagne, 6. Boom Prinsloo (captain), 5. Waltie Vermeulen, 4. Lodewyk de Jager, 3. John-Roy Jenkinson, 2. Hercu Liebenberg, 1. Caylib Oosthuizen
Substitutes: 16. Ethienne Reynecke, 17. Wian du Preez, 18. Teboho Mohoje, 19. Davon Raubenheimer, 20. Piet van Zyl, 21. Willie du Plessis, 22. Piet Lindeque
Rhodes was the only change to the team named on Wednesday to take on the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands this weekend.
He replaced Gerbrandt Grobler in the starting team, after Grobler struggled somewhat against a physical Blue Bulls outfit last week.
Rhodes is renowned for his aggressive nature and WP will be hoping he can front up against the men from Bloemfontein.
"We hope he can add some muscle to the forward pack," backline coach Robbie Fleck told Die Burger's website.
"Gerbrandt played well over the weekend (in the 24-all draw to the Bulls), but he's somewhat lighter and will be utilised as impact player."
WP will be hoping Rhodes - who joined from the Lions this season - is now over the injury niggles that prevented him from featuring regularly in 2013.
A torn hamstring in pre-season kept him from the field until April, only to be sidelined with an ankle injury after playing a few Super Rugby games. He made his return from the substitutes bench against the Bulls last week.
Saturday's clash at Newlands kicks off at 19:15.
Teams:
Western Province
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Pat Howard, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Gary van Aswegen, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Deon Fourie (captain), 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Michael Rhodes, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Pat Cilliers, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Rohan Kitshoff, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Ryan Nell
Free State Cheetahs
15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Riaan Smit, 13. Johann Sadie, 12. Robert Ebersohn, 11. Raymond Rhule, 10. Elgar Watts, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Philip van der Walt, 7. Pieter Labuschagne, 6. Boom Prinsloo (captain), 5. Waltie Vermeulen, 4. Lodewyk de Jager, 3. John-Roy Jenkinson, 2. Hercu Liebenberg, 1. Caylib Oosthuizen
Substitutes: 16. Ethienne Reynecke, 17. Wian du Preez, 18. Teboho Mohoje, 19. Davon Raubenheimer, 20. Piet van Zyl, 21. Willie du Plessis, 22. Piet Lindeque
