Share

WP bench Springbok skipper

Cape Town - Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has named four Springboks in his starting XV for Saturday's final-round Currie Cup encounter against the Sharks in Durban (19:10 kick-off).

Outside centre Juan de Jongh, No 8 Duane Vermeulen, flank Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth will all start for the unbeaten defending champions, while national skipper Jean de Villiers will be on the bench.

De Villiers will join Springbok colleague Schalk Burger amongst the WP replacements, with utility forward Michael Rhodes dropping to the bench to make way for the return of second row star Etzebeth.

Flank Rynhardt Elstadt (shoulder) misses out with an injury this week, while No 6 Deon Fourie will again lead the WP team into battle.

Eleven players who started in last year’s Currie Cup Final - also against the Sharks and also at Kings Park in Durban - will return in starting roles for this weekend’s top-of-the-log clash, with prop Frans Malherbe and scrumhalf Nic Groom part of the bench this time.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash, the final match of the league phase of the 2013 Currie Cup competition, Coetzee told the WP Rugby website: “We have selected our best available team, taking into account the well-being of someone like Jean de Villiers, and we’re looking forward to facing the Sharks.”

WP have won seven matches so far this season and drawn two, which sees them top the log by one point over the second-placed Sharks, who have tasted defeat twice this season.

“There is always something at stake when you represent Western Province,” said Coetzee, “(and) we will be doing our best to pick up a win and finish the league phase of the Currie Cup unbeaten.”

Teams:

Sharks:

15. SP Marais, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Tim Whitehead, 12. Heimar Williams, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Fred Zeilinga, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Keegan Daniel (captain), 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. Peet Marais, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Stephan Lewies, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Cobus Reinach, 21. Patrick Lambie, 22. Louis Ludik 

Western Province:


15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Deon Fourie (captain), 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16. Frans Malherbe, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Michael Rhodes, 19. Schalk Burger, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Jean de Villiers

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1272 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1469 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2240 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE