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WP new boys 'tailor-made'

Cape Town - WP coach, Allister Coetzee says that the new faces drafted into the squad are tailor-made for their Currie Cup clash with Griquas at Newlands on Friday.

WP have named two debutantes, both loose forwards, in their 22-man squad, Rayn Smid and Josh Katzen, who come from WP's Under-21 ranks.

"I must make it clear from the outset that by selecting debutantes we are not underestimating Griquas," said Coetzee,

"Last week we saw the Sharks just managed to scrape home by a point.

"Anyone who underestimates Griquas does so at their own peril.

"Smid and Katzen have abilities that will be useful at the breakdowns and we are aware that Griquas have the players to dominate at that phase of play.

"We have also gone for a 5-2 instead of the usual 4-3 split on the bench because we know what the Griquas will bring to Newlands."

The two debutants replace flank Michael Rhodes, who has received a one match ban for four play against the Blue Bulls, and Deon Fourie, who has a rib injury.

"Given our circumstances, this is the best team we could select," said Coetzee.

"We also a relative newcomer in 'Taz' (Methetheleli Fuzani) and we would like to him another run in the starting line-up because it helps with his match fitness.

"What can we do about Michael's ban, other than hope he'll learn from it."

Earlier this week WP lost the services of Springbok hooker Tiaan Liebenberg for the rest of the season, and flyhalf Gary van Aswegen has joined him on the injury list.

Kick-off for the match is at 19:10.

Teams:


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. Nic Groom, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Rohan Kitshoff, 5. De Kock Steenkamp (captain), 4. Taz Fuzani, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16. Michael Willemse, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Gerbrandt Grobler, 19. Rayn Smid, 20. Josh Katzen, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Demetri Catrakilis

Griquas:

15. Gouws Prinsloo, 14. Nico Scheepers, 13. Jean Stemmet,  12. Howard Mnisi, 11. Rocco Jansen, 10. Francois Brummer, 9. Jacques Coetzee,  8. Leon Karemaker, 7. Burger Schoeman, 6. Marnus Schoeman , 5. Jaco Nepgen, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Nick Schonert, 2. Ryno Barnes   (Captain),  1. Steph Roberts

Substitutes: 16. Matthew Dobson, 17. Brummer Badenhorst, 18. Patrick O’Brien, 19. RJ Liebenberg, 20. Marnus Hugo, 21. Du Randt Gerber, 22. Richard Lawson

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
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