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WP unchanged for Lions duel

Cape Town - Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has named an unchanged line-up for Saturday's top-of-the-log Absa Currie Cup clash against the Golden Lions at Newlands (17:05 kick-off).

Hookers Tiaan Liebenberg (back) and Scarra Ntubeni (calf muscle) remain sidelined, meaning Stephan Coetzee continues in the No 2 jersey with Neil Rautenbach again warming the bench.

Centre Juan de Jongh continues to lead the team, having led WP to wins over the EP Kings (away) and the Blue Bulls (home) thus far, with tighthead prop Pat Cilliers serving as his vice-captain once again.

WP and the Lions met on three occasions in last year’s Currie Cup, with the Capetonians winning both matches at Newlands and the teams playing to an exciting 31-31 draw in Johannesburg.

“The Lions represent a big test for us as they’re not scared to have a go with ball in hand, even from their own goalline," Coetzee told the WP Rugby website.

“I’d say they’re the overall favourites in the Currie Cup. They’re the pace-setters, they have a good set-piece and, like I said, they’re not scared to attack from anywhere.

“Yes, we are also unbeaten so far, but I’d like to see us become a bit more consistent… especially if you want to become the tournament pace-setters. (So) you can’t have any so-called ‘soft’ moments in your game.”

Saturday’s action gets underway at 12:45, with the WP Under-19s in action against the Lions Under-19s, before the WP Under-21 team takes on the Lions U21s - also in a top-of-the-table match-up - at 14:45.

Teams:

WP:

15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Juan de Jongh (captain), 12. Michael van der Spuy, 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Manuel Carizza, 4. Jean Kleyn, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Stephan Coetzee, 1. Alistair Vermaak

Substitutes: 16. Neil Rautenbach, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Ruan Botha, 19. Rynhardt Elstadt, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Jaco Taute

Golden Lions:

TBA

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